EP3022118B1 - Method for producing cluster packs - Google Patents

Description

The production of containers, ie of solid and for the consumer also easy to handle transport units by forming a plurality of containers, for example, several cans or bottles to a container group and by summarizing the container group is known. In particular, the combination of the respective container group forming the container using shrink films, as is known in US Pat US 7,726,464 A1 shown. From the DE 10 2006 037 105 A1 It is known to group a plurality of containers by means of a single carrying handle having staple-like recesses to produce a viable unit.

DE 10 2009 025 824 A1 discloses containers and a method for their production, which consist of a plurality of article groups, wherein the articles of an article group are connected to each other by means of banderole. To form the actual container, the adjacent article groups or their bands are glued together. Furthermore, from the DE 10 2009 044 271 A1 known to span containers of a container by means of a strapping in the region of the container waist, subsequently to rotate the individual containers in the desired manner to align the labels, and then fix the horizontal strapping by an adhesive application. From the DE 41 26 212 A1 It is also known to fix the foil blank which connects the containers by gluing to the container surface.

From the DE 10 2011 119967 B3 a comparable method for the production of packaging-free container known, in which the containers are directly connected to each other with an adhesive or adhesive. In this case, a subgroup is assembled in a first step and this subgroups are adhesively connected in a second step to the final container. Likewise are from the US Pat. No. 3,759,373 Multipacks, so containers from beverage cans or bottles known, which are also connected via splices together to form a group, here a six-pack. Finally, the reveals DE 10 2011 107264 A1 Container with mutually bonded containers, wherein furthermore a carrying handle or a release film is introduced as a carrying handle between two rows of containers.

In detail, the production of the container is carried out, for example, in such a way that the containers on a transport plane of a transporter upright and oriented with its container axis in the vertical direction or substantially vertical direction in a mass transport or in a wide container stream are supplied in which the container have an arbitrary orientation with respect to distinctive containers and / or features. This wide container stream is then converted by lane division into several single-lane container streams. In further process steps, the separation of the later containers or their container groups forming container from the single-lane container streams, bringing together the necessary number of containers each to a compacted container group, in which the container with multiple shell or Surrounding surfaces abut each other, and that connecting the container of each group of containers to the compact and solid or stable container.

The object of the invention is to provide a method by which the production of containers in a simplified manner and / or with a substantially improved visual appearance is possible. To solve this problem, a method according to claim 1 is formed.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the containers are produced by providing the container or container group at least partially with at least a portion of its container surface or outer surface with an adhesive or adhesive application, and then by pressing together and pressing against each other be connected via these adhesive or adhesive orders to the solid and stable container.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the combination of the respective container or container group forming container is generally carried out by gluing, for example by the aforementioned adhesive or adhesive orders and / or adhesive tapes and / or by at least one strapping, preferably by at least one adhesive or self-adhesive strapping, and only after the containers are aligned with respect to an alignment feature, which is or corresponds to a distinctive container or container feature, such that the containers have a desired orientation in each container thus produced, ie are oriented with their container or equipment features in a given direction. This results in a harmonious, visually appealing appearance for each package, which u.a. provides an additional incentive to buy, especially against containers with arranged in arbitrary orientation containers.

The alignment of the container takes place in the inventive method basically by turning about the respective container axis. The alignment or the respective angle of rotation is controlled by detecting alignment features on the containers with opto-electrical sensors. If the alignment of the container is then carried out when they are already merged into the respective container group forming the container, this is done Detecting the alignment features controlling the alignment from above and / or from below.

Especially in the case of containers in the form of cans, the catchment area or the part of the can wall that tapers on the top side of the can or the can shoulder is generally provided with a container equipment, i. This catchment area is also printed, this all-round pressure basically having an overlap only by unavoidable tolerances of the container diameter. This can then be used as a visually very distinctive alignment feature, especially since the orientation of the remaining equipment of the container with the orientation of the equipment at the catchment area clearly and completely correlated. The overlapping area can be seen optically well as a narrow line, so that with this overlapping area a very exact alignment of the respective container in the desired orientation is possible.

For the purposes of the invention, "containers" are in particular bottles, cans and soft packagings, for example those produced from cardboard and / or plastic film and / or metal foil.

Within the meaning of the invention, "alignment feature" is a design feature of the particular container itself and / or the container equipment (container imprints and / or labeling), which has an unambiguous position relative to the desired target orientation and on which the alignment in the container Target orientation takes place, and / or the respective adhesive or adhesive order to understand.

"Adhesives" within the meaning of the invention are, inter alia, all materials or compositions with which an adhesive bond between containers is possible, in particular compounds, materials or compositions which are applied in the liquid or viscous state form a self-adhesive order and / or using Pressure and / or by energy input and / or after curing or crosslinking (also by energy input) effect an adhesive bond. "Adhesives" within the meaning of the invention are, inter alia, also multi-layer materials, for example those of at least one carrier material, which is coated with a material with which an adhesive bond between containers is possible, ie at least two-sided adhesive and / or adhesive are active.

The term "essentially" or "approximately" in the sense of the invention means deviations from respectively exact values by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5% and / or deviations in the form of changes insignificant for the function.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. The content of the claims has also become part of the description. It has been found to be particularly advantageous if at least a subset of the adhesive or adhesive applications (3) are applied in such a way that always on both of the opposite surface areas, the one above Adhesive or adhesive application to be associated adhesive or adhesive orders are applied.

Especially in the use of hot or hot melt adhesives, it is advantageous if the adhesive or adhesive orders are made on the respective surface areas of container to be bonded at the same time. Especially with large differences in temperature of filled bottle to the application temperature of the adhesive this simultaneous application represented enormous advantages.

• Fig. 1 ein Gebinde gemäß der Erfindung, bestehend aus sechs Behältern in Form von Flaschen, die durch Kleben zu dem Gebinde miteinander verbunden sind;
• Fig. 2 das Gebinde der Figur 1, bei einen aus diesem Gebinde entnommenen Behälter;
• Fig. 3 in vereinfachter Darstellung und in Draufsicht eine Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von Gebinden gemäß Figur 1;
• Fig. 4 in schematischer Funktionsdarstellung den Behandlungsabschnitt der Vorrichtung zum Aufbringen des jeweiligen Kleberauftrags auf die Behälter und zum Verbinden der Behälter zu den Gebinden durch Zusammenführen und Aneinanderdrücken;
• Fig. 5 schematisches Muster für ein Gebinde mit einer Vollverklebung aller Behälter untereinander
• Fig. 6 schematisches Muster für ein Gebinde mit einer Teilverklebung Behälter untereinander (frei hängende Eckbehälter)

Improved, this variant can still be characterized in that at least one heating means is provided by means of which the not yet approximated adhesive or adhesive (3) are heated to the final approximation and / or compression. For this purpose, in particular an IR or laser emitter, in particular a motor-driven, revolving laser beam emitter can be provided.
The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of an embodiment. Show it:

• Fig. 1 a container according to the invention, consisting of six containers in the form of bottles, which are joined together by gluing to the container;
• Fig. 2 the container of FIG. 1 in a container removed from this container;
• Fig. 3 in a simplified representation and in plan view of an apparatus for the production of containers according to FIG. 1 ;
• Fig. 4 in a schematic functional representation of the treatment section of the device for applying the respective application of adhesive to the container and for connecting the containers to the containers by merging and pressing together;
• Fig. 5 schematic pattern for a container with a Vollverklebung all containers with each other
• Fig. 6 schematic pattern for a container with a partial bonding container with each other (free hanging corner container)

In the Figures 1 - 4 are generally designated 1 container, which in this embodiment each consist of six directly interconnected by gluing containers 2 in the form of bottles. For connecting the container 2 to the container 1, these are each provided at their Behälterober- or - outer surface with a plurality of adhesive and adhesive jobs 3 an adhesive or adhesive, preferably a hot or hot melt adhesive or adhesive, so that the container 2 of each container 1 are connected after the application of the adhesive or adhesive orders 3 by merging and juxtaposition to the container 1. In addition, the respective container 1 also has a carrying handle 4, which consists of a suitable sheet-like flat material and is likewise fastened by gluing to two containers 2 of each container 1.

The FIG. 3 shows a device 5 for producing the container 1. The device 5 includes, inter alia, a feed dog 6, on which the container 2 with their container axes in the vertical direction or substantially vertically oriented up and mass transport, ie in a disordered amount and with relative large conveyor width in a transport direction A on a section 6.1 of the conveyor to be supplied.

In a subsequent to the section 6.1 section 6.2 of the conveyor 6 is carried out by outer and inner guide railing 7 first, a lane division of the container stream in such a way that several, i. in the illustrated embodiment, three by the inner guide railing 7 separate lanes 8 are formed, in which the container 2 each form a single-lane container stream.

In a subsequent in the direction of transport A section 6.3 or in a local, in the FIG. 3 schematically represented by the block workstation 9, the application of the adhesive or adhesive orders 3 and the merging and juxtaposition of the container 2 to form the container 1. In the work station 9 at the same time takes place the carrying handles 4 on the container 1 by gluing or by applying to the adhesive or adhesive orders 3 corresponding orders of adhesive or adhesive.

The operation and general training of the workstation 9 results from the FIG. 4 , As shown, the single-lane container streams are first moved apart in the lanes 8, by a corresponding course of the outer and inner guide railing 7, so that the lanes 8 and thus the local container streams perpendicular to the transport direction A are clearly spaced from each other. In a further section 6.4 of the also extending through the station 9 transporter 6 is a separation of the container 2 in each alley 8, so that the container 2 then in a further, in the direction of transport A subsequent section 6.5 in each lane 8 have a predetermined distance from each other , With the help of applicators 10, the adhesive or adhesive jobs 3 are applied laterally to the passing containers 2, ie, to the side regions of the container outer surfaces oriented perpendicular to the transport direction A. Following this, the containers 2 provided with the adhesive and adhesive applications 3 are rotated by 90 ° with suitable means, ie with suitable rotary devices 11 about their vertical or essentially vertical container axis, so that the adhesive and adhesive applications 3 point in the direction of transport the containers 2 pass through another applicator 12 for applying adhesive or adhesive jobs 3 to further regions of the container outer surface that are oriented perpendicular to the transport direction A. In the illustrated embodiment, the adhesive or adhesive jobs 3 are applied to the applicators 10 and 12 in pairs in the form of an upper and a lower adhesive or adhesive application 3. This is followed by a rotating device 13, a rotation of the container about its container axis by 90 °, so that the last applied adhesive or adhesive orders are located on the leading in the transport direction areas of the respective container outer surface.

Since in containers 1 with a total of six containers 2 only seven pairs of adhesive or adhesive orders 3 are required, in the illustrated embodiment, the container 2 in the two outer lanes 8, ie in the in the FIG. 4 upper lane 8 and in the lower lane 8 in this figure each provided with two pairs of adhesive or adhesive orders 3, in the in the FIG. 4 upper lane 8 only every second container 2 and in the in the FIG. 4 lower lane 8 of each container 2. In the middle lane 8, only one pair of upper and lower adhesive or adhesive application 3 is applied to each container applied so that there the applicator 12 is not provided. Furthermore, only every second container 2 is rotated in the middle lane 8 after applying the adhesive or adhesive orders 3 with the rotator 11 about its container axis by 90 °. It can also be seen that always two adhesive jobs 3 are aligned with each other before they are approximated and then connected.

In a subsequent to the section 6.5 section 6.6 of the conveyor 6 are then first in each alley 8 two containers associated to a container 1 merged and pressed together, so that these containers 2 are connected to each other via the adhesive or adhesive orders 3 and a container subgroup 2.2 form. Following this, the container subgroups 2.2 are brought together transversely to the transport direction A and pressed together, so that then the respective container 1 forming container groups 2.1 is obtained and the container thus formed 1 can be promoted in the transport direction A to another system component, for example to a palletizer.

The rotation and alignment of the containers 2 on the rotating devices 11 and 13 is preferably controlled by opto-electrical sensors, for example in the form of cameras or camera systems and using a sensor or image signals of the sensors 14 evaluating computer 15, the respective rotating device 11 or 13 controls. As an orientation feature while the applied to the container 2 adhesive or adhesive orders 3 are used.

Basically, it is also possible to provide at the streets 8 in the transport direction A in front of the applicators 10 more alignment or rotating devices 16, with which the alignment of the container 2 by rotating about its container axis such that the container 2 then in the respective container. 1 with regard to their container equipment features have a predetermined target orientation and thereby results in a visually appealing appearance for each container. The alignment of the container 2 at these additional rotating devices 16 is again carried out in each case with the aid of at least one opto-electrical sensor 17, for example in the form of a camera or a camera system, for detecting an equipment feature or alignment feature 19 of the respective container and with the help of the sensor or Image signals of the respective sensor 17 evaluating and the respective rotating device 16 or the required rotation angle controlling computer 15. Als Alignment feature 19 are here distinctive features of the container 2 itself or distinctive features of the respective container equipment, such as the overlap region of the equipment forming imprint etc. used. By aligning the container 2 at the turning means 16 then also the application of adhesive or adhesive orders 3 takes place in a predetermined assignment to a specific, preferably striking equipment feature of the container 2, so that the container 2 in the respective container 1 with this container and / or equipment feature are arranged in a predetermined desired orientation and results in the desired quality for the respective container reproducible.

With appropriate adaptation of the applicators 10 and 12, the application of the adhesive or adhesive orders 3 can be carried out in various ways, for example in the form of a fluid, which is then dried and / or cured, for example, after application in a suitable manner that the self-adhesive and / or under pressure to produce an adhesive bond-producing adhesive and adhesive orders 3.

The flowable, for example, liquid or viscous adhesive or adhesive fluid is applied, for example, by spraying or printing, for example using moving transfer pads on the surface of the container.

For the adhesive or adhesive orders 3 are also hot or hot melt adhesives, which are then applied in a suitable manner, for example via nozzles in the hot and thus liquid or viscous state on the outer surface of the container 2, wherein connecting the container to the respective container by merging and pressing together the container is still sufficiently liquid hot melt adhesive or the adhesive and adhesive 3 formed by the hot melt adhesive at or immediately before connecting the container 2 by energy input, eg be placed in a liquid or viscous state by heat, infrared radiation, etc. In principle, there is also the possibility of using such hot melt adhesives that form self-adhesive adhesive or adhesive jobs 3 or adhesive jobs 3 after cooling, which connect the pressing together of the container to the respective container.

Furthermore, there are the possibilities that adhesive and / or adhesive orders 3 by adhesive and / or adhesive body or foils, for example by the use of To realize adhesive tapes or adhesive labels, in particular using two-sided adhesive tapes or adhesive labels. Suitable for this is in particular also that of the company tesa SE, 20253 Hamburg under the brand "Powerstrip" offered tape.

In the same way as connecting the respective container group 2.1 to the container 1, the attachment of the respective carrying loop or of the respective carrying handle 4 by gluing to two containers 2 of the relevant container group 2.1.

It has been assumed above that, to form the containers, the containers of the respective container group 2.1 are each directly connected to one another via the adhesive or adhesive jobs 3. The invention further contemplates that, when the containers 2 are aligned prior to forming the respective container, taking into account such features formed by design features of the containers and / or the container equipment, the forming of the respective container is quite general by connecting the container of the respective container group, eg in general by gluing and in this sense also with a corresponding strapping of the aligned container group. As strapping here are, for example, tapes, especially those made of a transparent material and / or those with a self-adhesive or adhesive coating, or bands that before applying to the relevant container group 2.1 with the aligned containers 2 with an adhesive or Adhesive fluid are provided, or bands that are thermally welded at least at their ends to form the respective container group 2.1 enclosing and holding together strapping.

The FIG. 5 shows in a representation similar to the FIG. 1 a container of six containers, with two aligned circles for a container and the levels 1 and 2 for the levels on which the adhesive and adhesive are applied. The small cylinders numbered 11 to 17 are the upper level adhesive and adhesive locations. The small cylinders numbered 21 to 27 are the lower level adhesive and adhesive locations. We used a very hard-setting and rather brittle adhesive , esp. An adhesive with a very high adhesive force, it may be difficult, the first bottle in an adhesive pattern gem. FIG. 1 to detach manually from the composite.

Surprisingly, it has been shown that ideally an application pattern acc. FIG. 6 Ideally, on the one hand can solve the corner bottles from the composite and on the other hand nevertheless to achieve an optimal, compact and solid container for the purpose of transport.

At the container after FIG. 6 hang two of the corner bottles at the bottom free and can be tilted or loosened upwards for loosening, so that even a very strong adhesive and adhesive can be solved or split in two remnants on the respective container surfaces. The adhesive and adhesive with the reference numerals 2-A and 2B can be ideally dispensed with, so that in a 6-pack on the lower level 2 only the adhesive and adhesive 2-2, 2-4 and 2-6 arranged are.

It has been assumed above that the connection of the container 2 forming the respective formed container group 2.1 by the application of the adhesive or adhesive orders 3 (device 5) or by the strapping 18 (device 5a) follows. But there are also methods possible in which the connection of the container 2 by the adhesive or adhesive orders 3 and by the application of at least one strapping 18 is combined, for example, such that only subsets of the respective container group 2.1 forming container 2, for example Container of the sub-container groups 2.2 on the adhesive or adhesive jobs and otherwise the connection of the container to the respective container through the at least one strapping 18 takes place.

Before applying the at least one strapping 18 and / or the adhesive or adhesive orders 3, for example, at least such areas of the container outer surfaces are provided with a coating fluid, to which subsequent strapping the adhesive or adhesive applications 3 are applied. In this case, the coating fluid is, for example, a primer that improves adhesion of the adhesive or adhesive jobs 3. Coatings based on silicates or acrylic base are known, if necessary with photoinhibitors, which are curable extremely rapidly under UV radiation.

Conversely, depending on the adhesive and the substrate, it may be advantageous to provide a coating fluid for forming a coating which ensures or facilitates the manual and non-destructive detachment or separation of the containers, thus reducing or completely preventing sticking or sticking. Coating fluids based on silicones, silcon oils or fats are particularly suitable here known. In these coating fluids, it is often not so crucial that they cure very quickly or dry, as long as they do not lead to contamination.

For the adhesive or adhesive orders 3 are suitable hot melt adhesive or adhesives or adhesives which are curable by energy, for example by heating and / or by irradiation, for example by infrared radiation, UV radiation, electromagnetic radiation or microwave energy, by radioactive Radiation, by electron or X-ray radiation, etc. These adhesives or adhesives may in turn be part of adhesive tapes or PSAs which consist of the web-shaped carrier material. Pressure-sensitive adhesive compositions or adhesive tapes of the aforementioned type and their preparation are in the DE 103 44 449 A1 described.

As adhesives or adhesives in particular those substances are used which have a good adhesion to the material of the container and a high cohesion (internal strength in the respective adhesive or adhesive layer), whereby good adhesive properties and thus a particularly strong connection of the container to the stable container is achieved. Such adhesives and adhesives are in the DE 103 23 048 A described. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the adhesive and adhesive are slightly raised, so that the support surface is increased on the usually slightly convex container wall.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention.

Idealergeie the method for simultaneous or substantially simultaneous application of adhesives and adhesives is used in combination, but this is not mandatory and depends on the adhesive and adhesive. Esp. For very strong and brittle adhesives and adhesives, in which the curing or setting of the free surface of the adhesive and adhesive must first be activated, for example: means of a UV lamp, the adhesive pattern is after FIG. 5 or 6 also quite independently advantageous.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1a

container

2

container

2.1

to the container 1 or 1a merged container group. 2

2.2

preliminary container group

3

Adhesive or adhesive application

4

Carrying strap or carrying handle

5, 5a

contraption

6

carrier

6.1 - 6.5

Sections of the carrier 6

7

guide railings

8th

streets

9, 9a

station

10

applicator

11

rotary unit

12

applicator

13

rotary unit

14

opto-electrical sensor

15

computer

16

rotary unit

17

sensor

18

strapping

19

alignment feature

20

Device for dividing container groups

A

Transport direction of the carrier 6

Claims (25)

1. Method for producing cluster packs (1a) made up of containers (2), in particular from a container stream in which the containers (2) have a random orientation with respect to their container features and/or fitting features, the containers are then subjected to a channel formation arrangement in order to form single-track container streams in channels (8), and then, by separating off a predetermined number of containers (2) in the channels (8), in each case temporary container groups are formed, not yet in their final arrangement, and, by bringing the containers (2) together, from these there are then formed in each case arranged and compacted container groups, which are then in turn assembled to form the respective cluster pack (1a), and wherein the containers forming the respective container group (2.1) of a cluster pack (1a) are aligned in respect of a significant container feature and/or fitting feature, such that the containers (2) in the finished cluster pack (1a) exhibit a predetermined desired orientation, wherein an individual separation of the containers (2) in each channel (8) takes place in such a way that, in the transport direction, the containers (2) in each channel (8) exhibit a predetermined distance interval from one another, and wherein the alignment of the respective container (2) then takes place by controlled rotation about its container axis, and specifically in relation to an alignment feature (19), namely in respect of the desired location of the at least one application of adherence or adhesive means (3) onto the respective container (2) after the distribution into channels, and wherein, after the alignment of the containers, the compacted and formed container groups (2.1), formed in each case by these containers, are connected together to form the cluster pack (1a) by means of adherence means or adhesive means or by the application of adherence means or adhesive means (3), wherein the containers (2) can then be separated, by hand and without destruction, from the container group (2.1) or from one another, characterised in that at least with a part number, the adherence means or adhesive means applications (3) take place in such a way that the adherence means or adhesive means applications (3) always take place on both opposed surface regions, for the application of these adherence means or adhesive means (3), of the containers (2) which are to be adhesively bonded, and in that, at least with a part number of the adherence means or adhesive means applications (3), their application takes place in such a way that adherence means or adhesive means applications (3) are always applied on both the opposed surface regions which are intended to be in connection by way of an adherence means or adhesive means application.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the adherence means or adhesive means applications (3) are carried out simultaneously on the respective surface regions in each case of at least two containers (2) which are to be adhesively bonded.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least one heating means is provided, by means of which the adherence means or adhesive means (3), not yet brought into proximity, are heated up until the final bringing into proximity and/or compaction.
4. Method according to claim 3, characterised in that the heating means is a laser beamer, in particular a motor driven laser beam emitter, being moving conjointly.
5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the container stream in which the containers (2) exhibit a random orientation in respect of their container features and/or fitting features, before the connection to form the respective cluster pack (1), are aligned in each case in respect of a significant container feature and/or fitting feature, such that the containers (2) in the finished cluster pack (1) exhibit a predetermined orientation, wherein the alignment of the containers (2) preferably takes place after a channel formation of the container stream.
6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting of the containers forming the respective container group (2.1) of the cluster pack (1a) are connected at least by at least one banding (18) surrounding the container group (2.1) and adhering to it by an adherence means or an adhesive means, and/or are thereby connected to one another, that at least a part quantity of the containers (2) forming the formed container group (2.1) of a cluster pack (1a) are provided on at least a part area of their container surfaces with at least one adherence means application or adhesive means application (3), and that the containers (2) of the container group (2.1) are brought together and pressed to one another in such a way that they are connected to one another by means of the adherence means application or adhesive means applications (3).
7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that adherence means or adhesive means applications (3) are carried out in different vertical planes onto the containers (3), wherein, at least in the lowest plane, a number of containers (3) are not provided with adherence means or adhesive means applications (3).
8. Method according to claim 7, characterised in that no adherent means or adhesive means applications (3) are carried out on at least half of the corner-located containers (3) of a cluster pack on the lowest plane.
9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims 7 or 8, characterised in that adherent means or adhesive means applications (3) are applied onto the containers (3) in different vertical planes.
10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims 7 or 9, characterised in that a means which is brittle after hardening is used as the adherence means or adhesive means application (3), and/or a means which partially remains on both containers (3) after detachment is used as the adherence means or adhesive means application (3).
11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the alignment of the respective container (2) takes place by controlled rotation about a container axis, and specifically in relation to an alignment feature (19), in particular in respect of the desired location and/or orientation of a container feature or fitting feature and/or in respect of the desired location of the at least one adherence means or adhesive means application (3) applied onto the respective container (2).
12. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bringing into proximity and/or pressing together and/or alignment of the respective containers (2) is carried out by at least one movable holding and gripping head, which can be moved in and/or in relation to the main transport segment.
13. Method according to claim 5, characterised in that the holding and gripping head moves the gripped containers (2) individually in the X-Y direction relative to one another.
14. Method according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the holding and gripping head comprises gripping elements which can be motor driven, with which the gripped containers (2) can be rotated about their respective container axes independently of one another or can be aligned while rotating.
15. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the alignment of the containers (2) takes place after the separation of the container group forming the respective cluster pack (1, 1a) out of the container stream, for example after the channel formation.
16. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that on one or more containers (2) of the respective cluster pack (1, 1a) a carrying handle (4) is fixed, in particular by adhesive bonding or by means of an adherence means or adhesive means or by a suitable soldering or welding method.
17. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the alignment of the containers (2) and the detection of the at least one alignment feature (19) is controlled in each case by at least one opto-electronic sensor, for example by at least one camera or a camera system.
18. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the alignment of the containers (2) takes place by the detection of the at least one alignment feature (19) from above and/or from below.
19. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, as the alignment feature (19), use is made of an overlapping of a container imprint forming the container fitting.
20. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adherence means or adhesive means applications (3) are produced by a readily flowable adherence fluid or adhesive fluid, for example liquid or viscous.
21. Method according to claim 20, characterised in that the adherence fluid or adhesive fluid is applied by spraying on and/or pressing onto the containers (2), for example by means of at least one nozzle and/or by means of at least one moved transfer pad.
22. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adherence means or adhesive means is a melt adhesive.
23. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting of the containers (2) to the container group (2.1) forming the respective cluster pack (1) takes place in at least two steps, wherein first the part quantity of the containers forming the cluster pack (1), preferably containers from the container rows produced by the channel formation, are provided with adherence means or adhesive means applications (3) and are then connected to form temporary container groups (2.2), and that then, in at least one following step, these container part groups (2.2) are connected by being brought together and pressed against one another to produce the container group (2.1) forming the cluster group (1).
24. Method according to claim 23, characterised in that the application of the adherence means or adhesive means applications (3) which connect the container part groups (2.2) to one another takes place after and/or before the production of the container part groups (2.2).
25. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the container group (2.1) forming the respective cluster pack (1, 1a) consists of containers (2) which are connected to one another at least partially by means of the adherence means and adhesive means applications (3), and is provided with at least one banding (18).

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