EP0436968A1 - Multi-article packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-article packaging made of foldable flat material, in particular cardboard, for bottles, cans or similar containers (10), wherein the preferably single-part blank can be placed around the container in the manner of a cuff and forms two opposite wall portions, a bottom portion (3) and a lid portion (1) and two end-side openings, the bottom portion having bottom flaps (7) on both sides and the wall portions each having end flaps (5) on both sides, which flaps can be swivelled into the end-side openings, when the blank has been placed around the containers, and can be fixed in this position, and wherein the bottom flaps and the adjacent end flaps are hinged to one another via intermediate webs (6), the end flaps (5) being swivellable against the lower edge region of the adjacent containers, and wherein the webs (6) between the bottom flaps (7) and the end flaps (5) are folded towards the bottom flaps at the bottom, when the bottom flaps are folded below the bottom portion and fixed thereto - preferably by gluing - and the end flaps are swivelled towards the containers and preferably cover an EAN bar code of the containers, and are folded approximately at right angles away from the side flaps. <IMAGE>

Description

The subject of the innovation is a multi-piece pack made of foldable flat material, in particular cardboard, for bottles, cans or similar containers according to the preambles of claims 1 and 12.

A multi-piece pack in accordance with EP-AO 247 298 has openings in the edge region between the wall sections and the cover section or the bottom section, into which openings are delimited by webs, into each of which the upper or lower edge of a container projects, as a result of which it is fixed and secured against falling out. The openings adjacent to the lower corners are crossed and delimited towards the corner by a web section which bears against the container wall. Multi-piece containers of this type offer the No printable areas on the front that can be used to promote sales. In addition, an EAN code printed on the containers can be perceived through the openings with a suitable rotational position and can be detected by EAN code readers. In many cases, therefore, EAN codes of the individual containers instead of the codes of the entire container carriers are accidentally detected on computer registers equipped with such readers. This leads to incorrect determinations of the purchase price and incorrect calculations of the inventory.

US Pat. No. 3,156,377 already shows a generic bottle pack with bottom flaps on a bottom section and end flaps on wall sections. The end flaps are connected to the bottom flaps via webs and are locked behind the bottles adjacent to the opening. Then the bottom flaps are raised and folded against the bottom edge of the bottle, which secures the bottles near the bottom in the pack. This securing is complex and can unintentionally detach at high loads in the longitudinal direction of the pack. In addition, EAN codes on bottle labels should remain visible through the front openings despite the folded-up bottom flaps.

For the transport of several multi-piece packs with Reusable bottles are filled, so-called quill boxes have become known, which engage with quillings standing up from a base plate in the spaces between the bottles. The sleeves reach through the bottom section of the packs. After the packs have been removed, the bottles can be individually adjusted in the quill box, whereby they are held on the side by the quills and partitions. Quill boxes with four segments surrounded on all sides by partitions for a pack of six bottles are customary, with two quillages being assigned to each segment. In total, these boxes are equipped with eight quills. In addition, tens quill boxes have already become known in which five quills are arranged in two rows, only one longitudinal partition being provided between the rows. Multi-piece packs that can be set in these quill boxes require open recesses on the front for adjacent quills.

Proceeding from this, the innovation is based on the task of improving a multi-piece pack, so that inadvertent detection of the EAN codes of individual containers is avoided, in particular if the containers are adequately defined and secured. In addition, the pack should preferably also be usable with tens quill boxes and guarantee sufficient strength.

To achieve this object, the characterizing features of claim 1 are provided according to the invention in the package according to the preamble of claim 1.

A multi-piece pack according to the invention is first placed around the container in the manner of a cuff and closed on the circumference. For this purpose, overlap areas are usually formed in the bottom section, which are connected to one another in particular by gluing. First of all, the cuff between the wall sections and the bottom and cover sections is completely open on the front side. The bottom flaps as well as the webs protrude beyond the outer container, whereby they are approximately aligned with the bottom section. The end flaps also protrude outwards, but extend in the planes of the wall sections. The front flaps are bent against the lower edge areas of the containers by folding the bottom flaps under the bottom section until they abut against it. The webs hinged to the bottom flaps at one end pull the end flaps articulated at the other ends to the lower edge regions of the containers. When the bottom flaps are folded over, the front flaps are automatically bent against the container, so that the packaging can be closed with a relatively simple packaging machine can be done. Finally, the end flaps are fixed in contact with the containers by fastening the bottom flaps to the bottom section. A package according to the invention has the particular advantage that it covers the EAN codes of the individual containers, so that only the codes assigned to the packages can be recorded as long as they are closed. In addition, the end flaps secure the containers in the pack and prevent them from falling out. Additional openings, in particular for holding the lower edge of the container, therefore do not have to be provided. The increased safety and strength of the multi-piece pack is also obvious to the customer, so that he can expect particularly favorable handling when buying the pack. The particularly pleasing appearance of the pack, particularly in the area of the front openings, should also offer an incentive to buy. Finally, the multi-piece pack according to the invention is reinforced by the folded-over bottom flaps and webs in the end regions on the front edge side, so that it has increased stability.

In a preferred embodiment of the innovation, the webs connect the ends of the base plates and end plates to one another in an articulated manner, so that the strips on large lever arms are articulated and the end flaps can be pulled securely against the container.

If the webs are connected to the bottom flaps and end flaps via folding lines which run at an acute angle, the legs of which converge towards the bottom section and the wall sections, the multi-pack deformation and resistance arm can be closed. In this regard, it is particularly advantageous if, when the blank is placed around the container, first folding lines between webs and bottom flaps cut approximately the middle of the bending area of the articulated front flaps, and second folding lines between webs and front flaps run approximately parallel to the bending plane of the front flaps. The first folding lines thus intersect the centers of the bending areas at the four corners of the blank, whereby they are pivoted around the intersection points when the base flaps are folded down. The second folding lines run parallel to the bending plane of the end flaps, i.e. approximately perpendicular to the wall sections. This allows floor straps, webs and front straps to be moved without these having to be stretched or compressed in some areas.

In one development, the webs have between the second folding line and a third one running parallel to it Folding line an edge web, the third folding lines overlapping with fold-over lines between the bottom flaps and the bottom section when the webs are folded under the bottom flaps. The edge web compensates in particular for height differences which arise from the stacking of the bottom section, bottom tabs and webs. In the case of a further development, the wall sections are additionally connected in an articulated manner to the base section via edge sections, the heights of the edge sections and edge webs approximately corresponding to one another. The edge sections in particular allow adaptation to changed container dimensions in the lower edge area.

If, according to a practically preferred embodiment, the end flaps have crease lines running perpendicular to the bending plane in the bending area, they are bend-free and can be bent with little resistance.

On the bottom section side, preferably, punched-out areas adjoin the bending areas of the end plates, which prevent material accumulations when the bottom plates and webs are folded and the end plates are bent.

The multi-piece pack can be used without special adaptation measures for quill boxes with two quills per segment.

For this purpose, only quill punchings have to be made in the base section between the contact areas of the base plates. For use with tens quill boxes, the bottom section between the contact areas of the bottom straps has two quill holes and symmetrically cuts each flap line between the bottom section and bottom flap, whereby the quill holes are open towards the end faces when the bottom straps are folded under the bottom section. The edge sleeve punchings are thus completely enclosed by an edge when the blank is spread out flat and are opened by folding the bottom flaps around the fold-over lines towards the end faces. As a result of the several layers of material in the bottom area of the pack near the edge quill punchings, these practically do not impair the strength of the pack and the rim quill punchings are secured against tearing when the quills are passed through.

A further development of the carrier described above provides that the webs next to the end flaps have insertion flaps connected via articulation lines, each articulation line being approximately aligned with an adjacent edge of an edge sleeve punching when the webs are folded against the bottom flaps. The insertion tabs fold when they are inserted back of the quill and cover the cut edges in the insertion area of the edge quill cut-outs so that they become more slidable for the quill.

Furthermore, it is provided according to a further development that two bottom section parts have longitudinal overlap areas for connection, in particular by gluing, and that the fold-over lines in the overlap areas are formed by complementary creasing and slot lines or recesses in the overlapping layers. This favors the folding over of the bottom flaps.

According to a further solution, the characterizing features of claim 12 are provided in connection with the preamble of claim 12. In this alternative solution, in order to close the forehead openings, the front flaps are first folded in and then the bottom flaps are folded up and connected, preferably glued, to the front flaps. The front and / or bottom flaps then cover the EAN codes on the outer containers and secure them from slipping out of the openings on the front. This pack can be closed particularly simply by folding in and gluing the tabs. It results a pack that encloses the container near the bottom without interruption and has a high stability. The large adhesive surfaces between the front flaps and the bottom flaps contribute significantly to the safety of the pack. The tabs can also hide EAN codes on bottle labels that are attached high above the bottle base.

Finally, in one embodiment, the wall sections are connected to the base section in an articulated manner via edge sections which, when the blank is placed around the container, have an angle of inclination to the wall sections, and a foot edge of the end flaps adjoining the edge sections is inclined according to the angle of inclination relative to the connecting line with the wall sections. The edge sections form foot bevels for receiving the lower container edges, which do not collide with the forehead straps due to the foot edges.

Fig. 1

einen flach ausgebreiteten Zuschnitt einer Mehrstückpackung für Dosen;

Fig. 2

denselben Zuschnitt manschettenartig um Dosen gelegt in perspektivischer Darstellung;

Fig. 3

dieselbe Packung mit geschlossenen Stirnlaschen in derselben Perspektive;

Fig. 4

einen flach ausgebreiteten Zuschnitt einer Packung für Pinolenkästen mit zwei Pinolen pro Segment;

Fig. 5

einen flach ausgebreiteten Zuschnitt einer Packung für Zehner-Pinolenkästen;

Fig. 6

dieselbe Packung um Flaschen herumgelegt und vollständig geschlossen von der Unterseite;

Fig. 7

dieselbe Packung mit eingesetzten Flaschen auf einen Zehner-Pinolenkasten aufgesetzt in der Seitenansicht.

Fig. 8

einen flach ausgebreiteten Zuschnitt einer Mehrstückpackung für Flaschen;

Fig. 9

denselben Zuschnitt manschettenartig um Flanschen gelegt in perspektivischer Darstellung.

Fig. 10

dieselbe Packung mit geschlossenen Stirn- und Bodenlaschen in derselben Perspektive.

Further details and advantages of the subject matter of the innovation result from the following description of the accompanying drawings, which show four preferred embodiments of the multi-piece pack.

Fig. 1

a flat spread blank of a multi-piece pack for cans;

Fig. 2

same cut cuff-like around cans in perspective;

Fig. 3

same pack with closed forehead flaps in the same perspective;

Fig. 4

a flat spread blank of a package for quill boxes with two quillings per segment;

Fig. 5

a flat spread blank of a package for ten-quill boxes;

Fig. 6

the same package wrapped around bottles and completely closed from the bottom;

Fig. 7

the same pack with inserted bottles placed on a quill box in the side view.

Fig. 8

a flat spread blank of a multi-piece pack for bottles;

Fig. 9

same cut cuff-like around flanges in perspective.

Fig. 10

same pack with closed forehead and bottom flaps in the same perspective.

1 has wall sections 2 adjoining a cover section 1 on both sides, to which in turn a part of a base section 3 is articulated. Upper edge sections 2 ′ are directed between cover section 1 and wall sections 2 and contain openings 4 for a can edge near the cover. Lower edge sections 2 ″ are guided between the wall sections 2 and the parts of the bottom section 3 and, like the upper edge sections 2 ′, allow adaptation to the can edges.

The wall sections 2 have end flaps 5 projecting on both sides near the bottom section, which are connected via webs 6 to bottom flaps 7 articulated on both sides of the bottom section 3. For this purpose, first folding lines 8 are provided between the webs 6 and the base plates 7 and 5 second folding lines 8 'are provided between the strips 6 and the end plates 5. The folding lines 8 and 8 'enclose acute angles which converge towards the bottom section 3 and the wall sections 2. The webs 6 also have edge webs 6 'which are formed between a third folding line 8''and the second folding line 8' and whose height corresponds approximately to that of the lower edge sections 2 ''.

On the bottom section side, approximately semicircular punch-outs 9 adjoin the end plates 5, which engage both in the bottom section 3 and in the webs 6 and the bottom plates 7.

As FIG. 2 shows, after the blank has been placed around six cans 10, the end flaps 5, webs 6 and bottom flaps 7 protrude beyond the cans. The end flaps 5 are aligned with the wall sections 2 and the webs 6 and bottom flaps 7 with the bottom section 3, which is closed by gluing its parts in overlapping areas. The first folding lines 8 intersect the centers of the bending areas of the end flaps 5, which are located directly next to the cans 10. The edge webs 6 'are somewhat inclined corresponding to the lower edge sections 2' 'to match the lower container edge.

By folding the bottom flaps 7 under the bottom section 3 in the direction of the folding arrow K, the pack can be partially closed at its front openings. The bottom tabs 7 namely bend the side flaps 5 by means of the webs 6 against the lower edge regions of the cans 10.

As FIG. 3 shows, each side flap 5 finally rests on a can 10, adjacent side flaps butting against each other near the longitudinal central axis of the carrier. In order to fix the pack in this configuration, the bottom flaps 7 are preferably connected to the bottom section 3 by gluing.

As far as the cut according to FIG. 4 corresponds to that according to FIG. 1, identical reference numbers are entered and reference is made to the above description. In addition, the end flaps 5 have creasing lines 11 running perpendicular to their bending plane, which allow bending without bending and with little resistance. In addition, in the parts of the bottom section 3 between the contact areas of the bottom tabs 7 quill punchings 12 are incorporated. Since the parts of the base section 3 overlap next to the longitudinal central axis, the sleeve punchings 12 are completely bordered only in part of the base section.

4 is placed around the container and closed in accordance with FIGS. 2 and 3. The closed multi-piece pack can be used in a quill carrier with two quills per segment.

The blank according to FIG. 5 was numbered like the blank in FIG. 4, insofar as there is agreement. For holding reusable bottles at an upper closure, openings 4 are provided in this blank between cover section 1 and wall sections 2. At the bottom, the blank for securing the bottles only has end flaps 5.

In addition to two quill cutouts 12 between the contact areas of the bottom plates 7 on the bottom section 3, edge quill cutouts 13 are also introduced, which are cut symmetrically by a folding line 14 between the bottom plates 7 and bottom section 3. Adapting to the cross-sectional shape and orientation of the quills of a quill box, the approximately square quill punched-out punchings 12 and rim quintessential punched-out punchings 13 are arranged with their diagonals on the longitudinal central axis of the pack.

As shown in FIG. 6, the rim sleeve punched-outs 13 are open towards the end faces of the pack when it is closed by folding and gluing the bottom flaps 7 to the bottom section 3, with a maximum of one half of the sleeves coming into engagement with the rim sleeve punched-outs 13. The quill punchings 12, on the other hand, enclose inserted quills on all sides.

5 and 6 show that the webs 6 have articulated insertion flaps 15 in addition to the front flaps 5, the articulation lines of which are approximately aligned with the adjacent edges of the edge sleeve punchings 13. When inserting the quills, the insertion tabs 15 fold in and make the edge quill punchings for the quills more slidable.

As shown in FIG. 7, two quills 16 of a tens quill carrier 17 each engage in the two quill holes 12 and only one quill hole is penetrated by a further quill 16. In addition to the pack shown, a further pack can be accommodated in the same row of the quill carrier 17, the central quill 16 engaging in two peripheral quill punchings of adjacent packs. The pack contains bottles 18 which, after being removed, can again be adjusted into the quill carrier 17 and are held laterally by the quills 16.

1 to 4, the fold-over line of the larger part of the bottom section 3 in the overlap area has a groove-shaped recess 19, which is assigned a crease line in the overlap area of the other part. 5 to 7, a slot line 20 is provided instead of a recess.

8 has a cover section on both sides 1 wall sections 2, which have a bending line approximately in the middle according to the cut of FIG. 4 for the purpose of adaptation to the transition region from the bottle belly to the bottle neck. 4, the cover section 1 has cover flaps 21 which can be folded on both sides and which are each articulated on both sides via triangular connecting straps 22 to wall brackets 23 which are connected to the wall sections 2 via folding lines up to their central bending line. The wall sections 2 each have externally articulated edge sections 2 ″, which enable adaptation to the lower bottle edge in accordance with that of the blank from FIG. 1. The edge sections 2 ″ are each provided with three foot openings 24 for the lower edge of the bottle, which in turn have bottle detection tabs 25 for prestressing or holding the lower edge of the bottle.

Bottom sections 3 with two quill punchings 12 for a quill carrier with two quills per segment are articulated to the outside of the edge sections 2 ″.

Each wall section 2 has end flaps 5 on both sides in the vicinity of the floor section, with a foot edge 5 'which adjoins to an edge section 2 ″ is inclined to a folding connection line with the wall section 2. Of the two parts of the base section 3 which are connected to one another in the finished pack, the larger has base plates 7 which are approximately rectangular on both sides and which are likewise articulated via folding lines.

In Fig. 9, the blank is already cuffed around six bottles 18, the foot edges of which partially engage in the foot openings 24 and the upper flange edge of which is held by the cover flaps 21. For this purpose, the wall tabs 23 and the connecting tabs 22 are folded into the front openings of the pack such that they each abut an adjacent bottle neck and are wedged between the latter and a wall section 2. As a result, the hinged cover flap 21 is locked in its position perpendicular to the cover section 1.

The bottles 18 have an EAN code on a label 26 which is to be covered when the entire package is sold. In the packaging step shown in FIG. 9, however, the end flaps 5 are still flush with the wall sections 2 and the bottom flaps 7 with the bottom section 3. The pack is closed on the end by folding these flaps in the direction of the folding arrows K. To do this first the front flaps 5 against the bottles 18 and then the bottom flaps 7 folded from the outside against the front flaps 5. There are large contact surfaces between the end flaps 5 and the bottom flaps 7, which enable an intimate adhesive connection.

As can be seen from FIG. 10, from the front tabs 5 and bottom tabs 7, especially the bottom tabs 7, which can be used for large-area printing, are visible from the outside. The tabs 5, 7 cover the codes on the labels 26 and at the same time secure the bottles 18 from slipping out of the end-side package openings.

Claims (13)

Multi-piece pack made of foldable flat material, in particular cardboard, for bottles, cans or similar containers, in which the preferably one-piece blank can be placed around the container in the manner of a cuff and has two opposite wall sections (2), a bottom and a lid section (3, 1) and two end faces Forms openings, the bottom section (3) having bottom flaps (7) on both sides and the wall sections (2) each having end flaps (5) on both sides, which, when the blank is placed around the containers (10, 18), can be pivoted into the front openings and fixed in this position are, and the base plates (7) and the adjacent end plates (5) are articulated to one another via intermediate webs,

characterized in that the end flaps (5) can be pivoted against the lower edge region of the adjacent containers, and in that the webs (6) between the bottom flaps (7) and the end flaps (5) when folded under the bottom section (3) and attached thereto - preferably by gluing - Attached bottom flaps (7) and pivoted against the container (10, 18) and preferably an EAN code of the container covering end flaps (5) below folded against the bottom flaps and folded down at approximately a right angle from the side flaps. Multi-piece pack according to Claim 1, characterized in that the webs (6) connect the ends of the base plates (7) and end plates (5) to one another. Multi-piece pack according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the webs (6) are connected to the bottom flaps (7) and front flaps (5) via folding lines (8, 8 ') which run at an acute angle, the legs of which are connected to the Bottom section (3) and the wall sections (2) converge. Multi-piece pack according to Claim 3, characterized in that when the blank is laid around the containers (10, 18), first folding lines (8) cut approximately the middle of the bending area of the articulated end flaps (5), and that second folding lines (8 ') between webs (6 ) and end plates (5) run approximately parallel to the bending plane of the end plates. Multi-piece pack according to claim 4, characterized in that the webs (6) between the second folding line (8 ') and a third folding line running parallel thereto (8 '') have an edge web (6 '), the third folding lines (8'') being covered by folding lines (14) between the bottom flaps (7) and the bottom section (3) when the webs (6) under the bottom flaps ( 7) are folded. Multi-piece pack according to Claim 5, characterized in that the wall sections (2) are connected to the base section (3) in an articulated manner via edge sections (2 ''), the heights of the edge sections (2 '') and edge webs (6 ') approximately corresponding to one another . Multi-piece pack according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the end flaps (5) have crease lines (11) in the bending area perpendicular to the bending plane. Multi-piece pack according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that punch-outs (9) adjoin the bending regions of the end flaps (5) on the bottom section side. Multi-piece pack according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bottom section (3) between the contact areas of the bottom flaps (7) has two quill punchings (12), and in that each folding line (14) between the bottom section (3) and bottom tabs (7) symmetrically cuts an edge sleeve punching (13), whereby edge sleeve punching holes are open towards the end faces when the bottom tabs are folded under the bottom section. Multi-piece pack according to claim 9, characterized in that the webs (6) have, next to the end flaps (5), insertion flaps (15) connected via articulation lines, each articulation line being approximately aligned with an adjacent edge of an edge pin punching (13) when the webs (6) are folded against the bottom flaps (7). Multi-piece pack according to claim 10, characterized in that two parts of the bottom section (3) have longitudinal overlap areas for connection, in particular by gluing, and in that the fold-over lines (14) in the overlap areas of complementary crease and slot lines (20) or recesses (19 ) of the overlapping parts are formed. Multi-piece pack made of foldable flat material, in particular cardboard, for bottles, cans or similar containers, in which the preferably one-piece blank is cuff-like around the container and forms two opposite wall sections (2), a bottom and a lid section (3, 1) and two end openings, the bottom section (3) bottom flaps (7) on both sides and the wall sections (2) on both sides Have end flaps (5) which, when cut around the containers (10, 18), can be pivoted into the front openings and can be fixed in this position, characterized in that the end flaps (5) against the lower edge region of the adjacent containers and the bottom flaps of can be pivoted externally against the adjacent end flaps (5), the flaps (5, 7) preferably covering an EAN code of the containers, and that the end flaps (5) and bottom flaps (7) can be fastened to one another in the overlap region, preferably by gluing . Multi-piece pack according to Claim 12, characterized in that the wall sections (2) are connected to the base section (3) in an articulated manner over edge sections (2 '') which, when the blank is placed around the containers (18), have an angle of inclination to the wall sections, and in that a foot edge (5 ') of the end flaps (5) adjoining the edge sections (2'') of the angle of inclination is inclined according to its connecting line with the wall sections (2).

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