EA019050B1 - Packing unit, shipping unit and a method of manufacturing a packing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a packing unit (4) comprising a group of packages (1) filled with a liquid product which are of the collapsible type and comprise a bottom wall and two opposite side walls, which packages (1) in their upright position have an upwardly tapering shape, characterised in that the packages (1) are so arranged that each package (1) has a side wall facing a bottom o the packing unit (4), the packages (1) are stacked one over another in a plurality of layers with a plurality of packages (1) in each layer, the packages (1) having an alternating orientation in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction and the packages (1) of an individual layer having a uniform orientation in the first or the second direction, and a plastic film cover (5) which at least partly surrounds the group of packages (1); for providing dimensional stability to the packing unit (4), the plastic film cover (5) being made of a web of plastic film material which has been joined together along four or fewer elongate sealing portions for forming said plastic film cover, and a shipping unit and a method of manufacturing said packing unit. The application also includes a shipping unit and a method of manufacturing a packing unit.

Description

The invention relates to a packaging unit containing a group of compressible type packages filled with a liquid product and containing a lower wall and two opposite side walls, the packages in their vertical position having an upward tapering shape.

The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a packaging unit and a transportation unit comprising packaging units of the type described in the introduction.

State of the art

In the food industry, packages containing liquid food products are usually packaged in boxes for subsequent sale or storage.

Traditional packaging used in the food industry is made from rigid packaging materials, such as thin cardboard. Packages of this type can be made in such a way that they are, for example, suitable for stacking on top of each other and so that they withstand the load. This means that they can be easily packed into larger blocks by placing them side by side and on top of each other, for example, on a pallet or in a cardboard box for further transportation.

Compressible packaging is increasingly used in the food industry and other industries. Such packages are made of flexible plastic film material, which means that packages do not have the same rigidity as packages of the type discussed above.

There is a problem in that compressible packages cannot be stacked on top of each other, for example, before transport. And therefore, compressible packaging is often stacked side by side in a cardboard box. When transporting such boxes, vibration and forces acting on the packaging during transport can damage the packaging. In some cases, such damage, especially in the crease area of the packaging material, may result in leakage of the contents of the package.

EP 0 681 970 discloses a method for folding compressible packages to ensure they are stackable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a packaging unit suitable for storing and transporting compressible packages. An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a method of making packaging units suitable for storage and transportation of compressible packages. An object of the present invention is also to provide a transport unit that contains a plurality of packaging units and which is suitable for storing and transporting compressible packages.

The present invention according to the first aspect relates to a packaging unit containing a group of compressible type packages filled with a liquid product and containing a bottom wall and two opposite side walls, the packages in their upright position having an upward tapering shape, characterized in that the packages are arranged so that the side wall of each package faces the lower side of the packaging unit, and the packages are stacked on top of each other in many layers, and in each layer there are many packages, and the packages are alternately oriented in the first direction and in the second direction opposite to the first direction, and the packages of the individual layer are equally oriented in the first or second direction; and a plastic film coating that at least partially surrounds the group of packages to provide dimensional stability to the packaging unit, made of a plastic film material web that is joined along four or less elongated sealed portions to form said plastic film coating.

Compressible-type packagings mean, for example, packagings containing a chamber formed by flexible walls connected together along connecting portions. Such packages may have the advantages of low weight, the possibility of their efficient production and the fact that when empty they occupy less space than the corresponding packages made of rigid packaging material.

Due to the fact that the packages are arranged so that the side wall of each package faces the underside of the packaging unit, it is possible, for example, to lay the packages in a stable manner on the surface. In addition, it is possible to form a packaging unit with a large base surface, whereby it is possible to lay the packaging unit in a stable manner on the surface, with the side walls of the packages being arranged substantially parallel to said surface.

The specified many layers is at least two layers, for example: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more layers. The specified many layers can be at least two layers and an even number of layers, for example 2, 4, 6, 8 or more layers. By using this plurality of layers, it is possible, for example, to pack the packages so that the packaging unit takes the form of a rectangular parallelepiped. As a result, a suitable shape is provided for rationally stacking the packaging blocks.

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The plurality of packages in each layer may be, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more packages in each layer. By arranging a plurality of packages in each layer, it is possible to form a packaging unit with a large base surface, whereby it is possible to arrange the packaging unit in a stable manner on the surface.

The specified many packages in each layer may be two or more packages in each layer.

Due to the fact that the packages have an alternating orientation in the first direction and in the second direction opposite to the first direction, and the packages of a separate layer are equally oriented in the first or second direction, or the packages are located top to bottom, the packages can be tightly packed and packed in this way so that the packaging unit takes on a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, which may be desirable for storage and / or transportation.

The plastic film coating, which at least partially wrap the packaging, is positioned so as to ensure dimensional stability of the packaging unit. A significant advantage is that packaging units containing compressible type packages can have stable dimensions. Such packaging blocks with stable dimensions can, for example, be adapted to bear the load, which means, for example, that these blocks can be stacked (stacked). Many packaging units can be stacked, for example, on a pallet, facilitating the simultaneous loading and transportation of not only a plurality of packages, but also a plurality of packaging units. In addition, due to the plastic coating, which at least partially surrounds the packages, despite the vibrations and vibrations that occur, for example, during transportation, the packages do not rub against each other or rub against each other to a much lesser extent than during transporting conventional packaging units. As a result, the risk of packages being damaged and leakage is reduced. When compressible packs are stacked together, for example in boxes, folds can form in the flexible walls of the packs, which can exacerbate any damage related to wear on the pack wall caused by friction during transport. The problems associated with the formation of folds of this type are minimized by using the invention. Accordingly, the invention solves a number of problems associated with the transportation of compressible-type packages.

Due to the fact that the plastic film coating is made of a fabric of plastic film material that is joined along four or less elongated sealed portions or longitudinal sealed seams to form said plastic film coating, it is possible, for example, to rationally perform a plastic film coating.

These longitudinal sealed seams contain a component located in the longitudinal direction of the plastic film.

Sealed seams, longitudinal and / or transverse, according to the invention can be flexible and / or bendable. By using these flexible and / or bendable seals, it is possible to reduce or minimize the risk that the packages will be damaged and leak from the packages.

The packaging unit of the invention may comprise a handle. The handle on the packaging unit can give it a significant advantage when you need to transport individual packaging units by carrying them by hand. The packaging unit may, for example, consist of a set of packages, each of which has a certain volume, so that the packaging unit according to the invention is convenient for transporting, for example, drinks by the consumer. A packaging unit containing, for example, from 1 to 24 packages, each of which is filled with a liquid, for example, from 10 to 200 sl (from 0.1 to 2 l), can be transferred in this way.

Packages may contain, or may be, for example, made of plastic, paper, laminated material, or combinations thereof.

The number of packages in each layer of the packaging unit may be the same.

A group of packages may contain, for example, four, six, eight or ten packages.

A plastic film coating may surround the packaging unit so that each individual package occupies a fixed position in the unit. Thus, by using a plastic film coating, it is possible to provide a condition under which the packages of the package group also retain their relative position, for example, during transportation or when they are subjected to a load.

A plastic film coating can completely surround a group of packages. Thus, the group of packages can be protected on all sides, and higher dimensional stability can be achieved, despite the direction of the load to which the group is subjected. A group of packages may, for example, have six surfaces, all of which are surrounded by the specified plastic film coating. The group of packages, as well as the packaging unit, can thus be in the form of, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped, which is a suitable geometric shape

- 2 019050 for packaging blocks, since many such packaging blocks can be tightly packed, so this group can take up very little space during storage and transportation. A plastic film coating may be surrounded by less than all the number of sides of the package group, for example five sides or four sides. According to the invention, at least four sides of the packaging unit must be surrounded by a plastic film coating to ensure dimensional stability.

A packaging unit may comprise four or fewer transverse sealed portions or transverse sealed seams, for example three or fewer transverse sealed seams.

Said transverse sealed seams comprise a component extending transverse to the longitudinal direction of the plastic film.

In the packaging unit, various combinations of the number of longitudinal and transverse sealed seams can be used. A packaging unit may, for example, comprise four or fewer longitudinally sealed seams and four or fewer transverse sealed seams.

A plastic film coating may, for example, contain one longitudinal and two transverse seams. Thus, the plastic film coating may be a piece of plastic film sealed around a group of packages, whereby it is possible to effectively use the plastic film coating.

A plastic film coating may, for example, contain two longitudinal and two transverse seams.

According to the invention, the sealed seams can be located on the sides of the packaging unit.

Sealed seams can be located on the sides of the packaging unit and on three or fewer edges of the packaging unit.

Sealed seams can be located on the sides of the packaging unit, and not on the edges of the packaging unit.

Dimensional stability according to the invention is understood to mean that a group of packages must be surrounded by a plastic film coating so that the individual packages are held essentially in a fixed position relative to each other. Dimensional stability according to the invention can also be achieved when the packaging unit is subjected to a load, since the group of packages is surrounded by a plastic film coating.

A plastic film coating can surround a group of packages completely without the application of a tensile force. The plastic film may, for example, be positioned so that a group of packages is freely surrounded by it, although at the same time, it can be used to ensure dimensional stability of the packaging unit. Using a freely wrapped plastic film in this case they do not provide absolute fixation of an individual package in its position, but provide the conditions under which this package can be slightly shifted relative to other packages in the group. However, dimensional stability, however, is ensured, since with the help of a plastic film they prevent the loss of an individual package from the packaging unit. When the packaging unit is subjected to a load, the packaging may be displaced, but plastic can still be prevented from falling out of the packaging. Thus, by using a plastic film coating of this type, the dimensional stability of the packages can be ensured.

A plastic film coating can also wrap a group of packages with a tensile force. Thus, by using a plastic film coating of this type, it is possible to ensure dimensional stability of the packages.

The plastic film coating of the packaging unit can be positioned so that it surrounds the packaging with a tensile force so that the contents of the packages create back pressure to ensure the specified dimensional stability of the packaging unit.

The plastic coating film of the packaging unit may be, for example, a shrink film. The shrinking film can be positioned in the required and suitable manner around the packages and then allowed to shrink, for example, by heating, so as to enclose an even more densely packed block and, if necessary, to create tensile forces.

The plastic film coating of the packaging unit may be, for example, a film wrapper. Wrapping is an effective way to form coatings around packages. In addition, the wrapping can provide tension to the coating to maintain dimensional stability of the packaging unit of the invention.

The plastic film coating of the packaging unit may be a shrink film wrapper.

The plastic film coating of the package may be a film wrapper provided with transverse and / or longitudinal seams.

The plastic film coating of the packaging unit may comprise or may be

- 3 019050 but, for example, from thermosetting plastics or resins or other polymeric materials suitable for carrying out the invention.

The plastic film coating of the packaging unit may have a thickness of less than 100 μm, but may also be thicker than 100 μm. The plastic film coating may, for example, have a thickness of 550 microns or 10-30 microns.

The transport unit of the invention may comprise a plurality of packaging units. When transporting packaging blocks, it may be advantageous to manipulate several packaging blocks as a single transport block. Lifting or other handling operations can be minimized, for example, by handling multiple packaging units as a single unit. The shipping unit may also comprise, for example, a suitable number of packaging units for distribution and storage in stores.

The packing blocks of the shipping block can be stacked on a pallet. Using the pallet on which the transport unit is carried, for example, it is possible to facilitate the handling and transportation of the transport unit and the packaging units. The pallet may, for example, be set up for lifting and loading, or for transport with a forklift, such as a forklift or a manually driven forklift.

The packaging units of the transport unit may be stacked, where the stack is at least partially surrounded by a plastic film coating. Using a plastic film coating of this type, it is possible, for example, to hold the packaging blocks together and ensure their stability during transport. In addition, packaging blocks can be attached to the pallet with a plastic film coating in cases where the packaging blocks are stacked on a pallet. The plastic film coating may, for example, be a shrink film wrapper.

The present invention according to a second aspect relates to a method for producing packaging blocks, comprising the steps of arranging a group of compressible type packages filled with a liquid product and containing a bottom wall and two opposite side walls, such that the packages in their upright position have a shape that tapers upward and are stacked on top of each other. each other in a plurality of layers containing a plurality of packages in each layer, the packages being oriented in an alternating orientation in the first direction and in the second direction, against bying first direction, so that individual packing layer had the same orientation in the first or second direction and thus arranged in such a manner that the side wall faces of each package to the underside of the packaging unit; and at least partially wrapping the packages with a plastic film coating and providing the plastic film coating with four or less sealed seams to ensure dimensional stability of the packaging unit, where the plastic film coating is made of a fabric of plastic film material that is joined along four or less sections of longitudinal sealed seams for the formation of the specified plastic film coating.

The plastic film coating according to the method may be a film wrapper that is wrapped around packages.

The plastic film coating according to the method may be a shrink film that is seated around the packages.

The above description relating to the packaging unit also applies, where applicable, to the method and transportation unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of packages where packages are alternately oriented in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and where packages of a single layer are equally oriented in the first or second direction, according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a packaging unit surrounded by a plastic film coating with longitudinal and transverse seams, the packaging unit being shown from two different sides (a) and (b), respectively;

FIG. 3 is a schematic views of various embodiments of a packaging unit with longitudinal and transverse seams;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a packaging unit according to the invention, where the packaging unit is partially surrounded by a plastic film coating;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a method for wrapping a group of packages with a plastic film coating;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of (a) 24, (b) 3, (c) 2, and (b) 24 packaging blocks of the invention, where the packaging blocks are located on a pallet;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a method for wrapping a packaging unit in a plastic film coating;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a packaging unit containing six packages, the packaging unit further comprising pens.

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Preferred Embodiments

The invention is described in more detail below and particularly preferred embodiments and their variations are shown. The description is intended to be illustrative, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. The drawings to which reference is made are schematic, and they are not necessarily drawn to scale.

The packages 1 (see FIG. 1) have alternating orientations in the first direction and in the second direction opposite to the first direction, and the packages of a separate layer are equally oriented in the first or second direction according to the invention. In FIG. 1 shows six packages 1. The packages 1 in an upright position have a tapering shape with a narrower end 2 and a wider end 3. It should be understood that the packages are shown schematically. The packaging unit 1 is positioned so that each package 1 comprises a side wall facing the underside of the packaging unit 4. In FIG. 1 shows six packages 1 stacked on top of each other in two layers. However, according to the invention, the packages 1 can be arranged in more than two, the number of layers. The number of packages may differ from six and be, for example, four or more. Obviously (see Fig. 1), with an even number of layers, it is possible that the group of packages takes essentially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. It should be understood that the shape does not exactly match the shape of a rectangular box.

Preferably according to the invention, the packages contain two opposing side walls and a lower wall, where the side walls and the lower wall are flexible; and the drawings are intended, for example, to illustrate such packages.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b. In FIG. 2a and 2b show the packaging unit 4 from two different sides. The packaging unit 4 contains six packages 1a-I filled with a liquid product. The packages 1 are made of plastic and are compressible, and they have a tapering shape in an upright position. The packages 1 have an alternating orientation in the first direction and in the second direction opposite to the first direction, and the packages of a separate layer are equally oriented in the first or second direction and are surrounded by a plastic film coating 5.

The number of packages in a packaging unit according to the invention may differ from six. The number of packages may be four or more. The number of packages may be two or more. The number of packages in each layer can be equal to two or more.

Using a plastic film coating 5 ensure the dimensional stability of the packaging unit 4 by fixing the positions of individual packages.

The packaging unit 4 has six surfaces, four of which are shown; reference is made to the drawings, in which they are shown as surfaces ba-b6, and the other two sides, which are not shown in the drawing, are located diametrically opposite to side ba and side bs. In this example, all six sides b of the packaging unit are surrounded by a plastic film coating 5, and the plastic film coating 5 comprises three seams 13a-13c, where the seam 13a is a longitudinal sealed seam and the seams 13b and 13c are transverse seams.

It should be understood that the plastic film coating 5 may contain a number of sutures 13 different from the number shown in FIG. 2a and 2b. The number of seams 13 may be greater or less than the number shown in FIG. 2a and 2b. The plastic film coating 5 may, for example, contain seams 13 on all six surfaces of the packaging unit 4. Surfaces can be seamless 13, for example, as shown in FIG. 2a and 2b. According to the invention, the number of longitudinal seams is four or less. There may be more than one seam number 13 per surface, but it is preferable that only one seam 13 per surface.

An example further shows the inventive packages having a variable orientation in the first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first, where the packages of a single layer are equally oriented in the first or second direction. The packages are laid in the first layer of packages (1b, 16, 1ί) in the first direction K1, and in the second layer of packages (1a, 1c, 1e) in the direction K2, opposite to the first direction K1. In this example, the directions K1 and K2 are identical to the directions for narrowing the packages, and these directions are indicated by arrows K.1 and K2 in the drawing. It should be understood that the directions K1 and K2 can also be inverse.

Further, other embodiments (see FIGS. 3a-3c) of a packaging unit with longitudinal and transverse seams are discussed. In order to provide greater clarity, the packaging of the packaging unit is not shown; only a plastic film coating is reproduced, which in this example is transparent, to illustrate the packaging unit. In this case, the seams are visible in the drawing, regardless of which side of the packaging unit 4 they are located. The plastic film coating 5 depicted in the shape is essentially the corresponding shape of the box. The plastic film web according to the example has a longitudinal direction, which essentially coincides with the direction of the seam 13a. In FIG. 3a and 3b show a packaging unit with two longitudinal seams 13a and 136 and two transverse seams 13b and 13c. In FIG. 3c shows a packaging unit with one longitudinal seam 13a and two transverse seams 13b and 13c.

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The seams can be, for example, welds or joints made in another way using heat and / or pressure. Seams can, for example, also be adhesive joints.

Described below with reference to FIG. 4, a particular embodiment of the invention. The drawing shows a packaging unit 4 containing six packages 1a-1 £, where the packages are filled with a liquid product. The packages 1 are made of plastic and are compressible, and they have a tapering shape in an upright position. The packages 1 have an alternating orientation in the first direction and in the second direction opposite to the first direction, and the packages of a separate layer are equally oriented in the first or second direction and are partially surrounded by a plastic film coating 5, which is surrounded around the packages 1. The packaging unit 4 has six surfaces, four of which (surfaces ba-b6) are surrounded by the specified plastic film coating 5. Using a plastic film coating 5 provide dimensional stability of the packaging unit 4. In addition to Moreover, in the example, the packages according to the invention are shown oriented in an alternating orientation in the first direction and in the second direction opposite to the first direction, where the packages of a single layer are equally oriented in the first or second direction, and the packages contain a first set of packages (1, 16. 11 ) located in the first direction K1, and a second set of packages (1a, 1c, 1e) located in the direction K2 opposite to the first direction K1. In this example, the directions K.1 and K2 are identical to the directions for narrowing the packages, and these directions are indicated by arrows K1 and K2 in the drawing. It should be understood that the directions K1 and K2 may also be inverse.

The method of the packaging unit of the invention is described below and is illustrated in FIG. 5a-56. The method (among other things) includes: wrapping the group of 14 packages 1 with a plastic film coating 5, which completely cover the group 14 of the packages, and by means of the indicated operations, the wrapping ensures the dimensional stability of the packages. It should be understood that the orientation of the packages in group 14 may differ (within the scope of the invention) from the orientation shown in FIG. 5a-56. In this example, the plastic film 9 is presented as opaque. In FIG. 5a shows a group 14 of packages 1 arranged in such a way that the packages have an alternating orientation in the first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction, where the packages of a single layer are equally oriented in the first or second direction, and also a plastic film is shown

9. In this example, a plastic film is positioned on the drawing in such a way that it can be considered as having a U-shape, and the plastic can be considered as folded to give it a U-shape.

In FIG. 5b, the plastic film is positioned so that it essentially follows along the contours of certain sides of group 14 of packages 1.

In FIG. 5c shows that a longitudinal seam 13a has been created. According to the invention, as illustrated in this and other embodiments or examples, the longitudinal seam 13a can thus be defined as a seam containing a component located in the longitudinal direction of the plastic film, and the transverse seam can be defined as a seam containing a component, located in the transverse direction to the longitudinal direction of the plastic film. The longitudinal direction of the plastic film is further discussed with reference to FIG. 7. In this example, the sealed seams may be of the type indicated above, or of any other available and suitable type. Portions of the plastic film protruding from the seam can be removed during the sealing operation, for example, by cutting or by performing removal in any other optional manner. In addition, the dimensions of the plastic film and the appearance of the seam can be such that the plastic film essentially does not protrude or only its small part protrudes from the seam. The width of the plastic film can, for example, be chosen so that it is only slightly larger than the distance along which it is wrapped around a group of packages.

In addition, according to the invention, the protruding parts of the plastic film can be bent and tightly tensioned around the package. As clearly shown in the drawing, the four sides of the package group are thus surrounded by a plastic film coating. If this is required and really convenient, so that only four sides are surrounded by a plastic film coating, then parts of the plastic film 9 can usually be removed so that, for example, the coating does not protrude from all sides or protrudes only slightly from the sides of group 14 of packages 1 that are not surrounded. This means that a plastic film coating can only be considered as partially covering a group of packages. In FIG. 56 shows a group of packages that are now completely surrounded by a plastic film coating, where two transverse seams are created, of which the transverse seam 13b is visible in the drawing, and the transverse seam 13c and the longitudinal seam 13a are shown with dashed lines. In this example, the transverse seams are oriented in the manner shown in the drawing, but they can still have a different orientation, within the scope of the invention, for example, they can extend from bottom to top, where this orientation differs essentially by 90 ° from orientation shown in the drawing. These parts, if any, of the plastic film protruding from the transverse seams can be removed or bent as described above with reference to the longitudinal seams.

As a result, a packaging unit is created comprising a group of 14 packages 1 and a plastic film coating 5, which completely surrounds the group of packages. The plastic film coating can be seated by heat treatment, which can ensure dimensional stability or increase dimensional stability.

The plastic film may have, in the scope of the invention, a bent shape other than that shown in a bent U-shape. The plastic film may, for example, be in the form of a pipe in which the packages are located. A plastic film coating made in this way may contain, for example, one longitudinal and two transverse seams, by analogy with the considered plastic film web, bent in a U-shape. The pipe, or U-shaped plastic film web, can be made of two plastic film webs joined together along a longitudinal sealed seam, where the plastic film coating contains two transverse and two longitudinal seams. In addition, according to the invention, a group of packages can be packed in a plastic bag or, alternatively, in a pipe sealed at one end, after which the plastic bag or pipe sealed at one end is sealed in the transverse direction so that the packaging unit contains one, two or more transverse seams.

If a plastic film is pulled around a group of 14 packages 1, for example, by sitting, so that the circumference of the plastic film is slightly smaller than the circumference of the group of packages, in this way it is possible that the plastic film coating 5 is surrounded around the group of packages with a pulling force. The magnitude of the pulling force can vary depending on how tightly the film shrinks around the group of packages. Shrinkage can also be carried out so that the coating covers the group without pulling forces. If a plastic film is applied essentially without a tensile force, then this method enables the plastic film coating 5 of the invention to be wrapped around a group of packages without a tensile force. When using a film wrapper, the specified tensile force can be created by wrapping, possibly in combination with the shrinkage of the plastic film coating. By means of a pulling force, it is possible to provide additional dimensional stability to the packaging unit 4 by tightly fixing the positions of the individual packages.

Below, with reference to FIG. ba-bb, transport blocks 7a-7b containing a plurality of packaging blocks 4a-4b according to the invention. Each packaging unit 4a-4b contains many packages that are not shown in the drawings. In the examples presented in the drawings, the transport blocks 7a-7b are located, or stacked, on pallets 8a-8b.

The transport unit 7b shown in FIG. b, it is surrounded by a wrapping plastic film 9 around it, with the help of which, among other things, it can provide protection during transportation, increase the dimensional stability of the transport unit 7b, the packaging unit 4b and the packages proposed in the invention. In the example shown in the drawings, the four sides of the transport unit 7b are wrapped with plastic film 9, but may even be surrounded, for example, by five or six sides.

The transport unit 76 in FIG. bb contains packaging blocks 4, stacked with dressing layers, whereby provide greater stability when stacking.

The following describes the process of wrapping the packaging unit 4 (see Fig. 7), containing a group of 14 packages 1, to form a plastic film coating 5, which at least partially cover the package to ensure dimensional stability of the package. The drawing is schematic, and it illustrates the process of wrapping the first revolution of the film around the packages. In this context, the xy-ζ coordinate system is introduced, as shown in the drawing, and the wrapping process according to the drawing, which is carried out in the χ-ζ plane, is considered. When wrapping only in this plane with a plastic film coating 5 covers only four sides out of a total of six sides, groups 14 of packages 1. If wrapping is also carried out in the xy plane, then five or six sides can be surrounded by a plastic film coating . It may be convenient to wrap the coating in several revolutions, since the compressive force created by the plastic film coating may be greater than at a lower number of revolutions, which may be desirable, for example, if you want to create back pressure from the liquid contained in the packages. By wrapping in several revolutions, it is also possible to provide more substantial mechanical protection than when wrapping in only one layer. It should be understood that wrapping can also be done only in the xy plane. The planes in which the wrapping is carried out can be selected depending on the orientation of the packaging unit 4 during transportation and, possibly, on the stacking of the packaging units. It should be understood that the portion of the plastic film in the roll 10 of plastic film that extends beyond the boundaries of the packaging unit 4 can be bent back over the packaging unit 4, for example, when the tensile force increases. The longitudinal direction of the plastic film according to the invention can be considered the direction of the plastic film in which it comes from the roll 10 of the plastic film (this direction is indicated by arrow 15), or the opposite direction, and this longitudinal direction is applicable to the plastic film used for wrapping, and to plastic the film that is being sealed. The longitudinal direction of the plastic film according to the invention can be defined as the direction

- 7 019050 longitudinal extension of the plastic film. The plastic film may be a shrink film; it can, for example, be selected so that it shrinks when the packaging unit 4 is heated after being wrapped; however, by means of shrinkage, the tensile force can be increased.

The plastic film coating 5 obtained by wrapping according to the invention can be provided with both transverse and longitudinal seams according to the invention. As a result, it is possible, for example, to increase dimensional stability and / or the strength of the packaging unit 4 or packages

one.

Below is described (with reference to Figs. 8a-8b) a packaging unit 4 comprising handles 11a-11c.

In FIG. 8a shows a packaging unit containing a group of packages 1 surrounded by a plastic film coating 5. The handle portion 12c is adhered to the plastic film coating, which makes it possible to carry the packaging unit by the handle, without the handle being released from the packaging unit. In cases where, for example, four sides of a group of packages are surrounded by a plastic film coating, the handle can be attached to one or more packages or to a plastic film, after which a plastic film can be applied.

In FIG. 8a shows a packaging unit containing a group of packages 1 surrounded by a plastic film coating 5. A plastic film coating 5 is surrounded around those parts 12a and 12b of the handles 11 that are positioned so that after wrapping they are between the plastic film coating 5 and the packages, where the wrappers may be sufficient to allow the transfer of the packaging unit by the handles, while the handles are not released from the packaging unit. The handles can also be attached, before wrapping, to one or more packages or to a plastic film, in such a way as to provide, for example, better adhesion of the handles to the packaging unit.

The packaging units shown in FIG. 8, can be conveniently carried by holding the handles, and six packs a suitable amount when selling, for example, drinks. Each of the packages may contain, for example, one liter of beverage, but other volumes, comprising, for example, from 330 ml to 2 liters, may also be suitable. The number of packages may vary from six.

The packages described in the above examples and presented in the drawings are packages according to the invention, i.e. compressible packs. Compressible-type packages are understood, for example, as packages containing a chamber formed by flexible walls connected together along a connecting portion. The walls usually contain two opposite side walls and a lower wall.

Claims (15)

CLAIM 1. A packaging unit (4) with six sides, containing a group of packages (1) filled with a liquid product, which are compressible type packages and contain a bottom wall and two opposite side walls, and the packages (1) in their vertical position have a tapering upward shape, wherein the packages (1) are arranged so that the side wall of each package (1) faces the lower side of the packaging unit (4), and said packages (1) have an alternating orientation in the first direction and in the second direction opposite to the first direction; and a film coating (5), which at least partially surrounds the group of packages (1) to ensure dimensional stability of the packaging unit (4), and the film coating (5) is in contact with the packages on at least four of these six sides Packaging unit (4), characterized in that the packages (1) are arranged on top of each other in a plurality of layers, with a plurality of packages (1) in each layer; at the same time packings (1) of a separate layer are equally oriented in the first or second direction; the film coating (5) is made of a web of plastic film material joined together along four or less elongated sealed areas to form said film coating (5); and sealed areas are flexible and / or bendable. 2. A packaging unit (4) according to claim 1, comprising a handle (11). 3. The packaging unit (4) of claim 1 or 2, in which the number of packages (4) in each layer is the same. 4. The packaging unit (4) of any preceding claim, wherein the group of packages (1) filled with a liquid product contains four, six, eight, or ten packages (1). 5. The packaging unit (4) according to any preceding claim, in which the plastic film coating (5) completely surrounds the group of packages (1). 6. The packaging unit (4) according to claim 5, in which the plastic film coating (5) contains one longitudinal and two transverse seams (13). 7. A packaging unit (4) according to any preceding claim, in which the plastic film - 8 019050 coating (5) is a shrinking film. 8. A packaging unit (4) according to any preceding claim, in which a plastic film coating (5) surrounds a group of packages (1) without a squeezing force. 9. The packaging unit (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which a plastic film coating (5) surrounds a group of packages (1) with a compressive force. 10. A transport unit (7) containing a plurality of packaging units according to claim 1. 11. The transport unit (7) of claim 10, in which the packaging units (4) are stacked on a pallet (8). 12. The transport unit (7) of claim 10 or 11, in which the stack formed of said packaging units (4) is at least partially surrounded by a plastic film coating. 13. The method for performing the packaging unit (4) with six sides, comprising the stages of arranging a group of packages (1) filled with a liquid product, which are packages of a compressible type and containing a bottom wall and two opposite side walls, so that the packages in their vertical position have tapering up the form, and stacked on each other in multiple layers, with each layer contains many packages (1) in such a way that the packages (1) have alternating orientation in the first direction and in the second direction, against bying first direction; and packages (1) of a separate layer are equally oriented in such a way that the side wall of each package (1) faces the bottom side of the packaging unit (4); and at least partially wrapping the packages (1) with a film coating (5) so that the film coating (5) is in contact with the packages on at least four of these six sides of the packaging unit (4), and supplying the film coating ( 5) four or less seams (13) to ensure dimensional stability of the packaging unit (4), and the film coating (5) is made of a web of plastic film material joined together along four or less sealed areas to form the specified plastic (5), while the sealed areas are flexible and / or bendable. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said plastic film coating (5) is a film wrapper wrapped around the packages (1). 15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said plastic film coating (5) is a shrink film, which is seated around the packages (1).