EP3112288B1 - Package for container, and method for its manufacture - Google Patents

Description

The present application relates to a package according to the preamble of claim 1. Typically, the side parts of such a package extend between and are directly connected to the top part and the bottom part.

In principle, the term "container" is understood to mean any article which is suitable for receiving a liquid fluid, wherein the container is embodied so closable that the fluid can not unintentionally leave an interior of the container. The packaging according to the present application is particularly suitable for combining beverage bottles. In particular, an embodiment as a multiple carrier, for example, three or six carriers is conceivable.

The standing up of the containers on the bottom part is not necessarily to be understood as meaning that a load transfer within the packaging takes place exclusively by means of the bottom part. This would be the case if the containers were to be supported in the vertical direction exclusively by means of the bottom part. Such a system is conceivable, but not mandatory. Instead, it is also possible that an upper end of one or more containers is fixed in or on the at least one cover part of the packaging, so that the weight of a respective container is introduced directly into the ceiling part. Also, a fixation of one or more containers on one or more side parts of the package is possible.

The vertical axis of the package typically extends perpendicular to a bottom plane of the bottom part. In this context, the "at least substantially parallel" course of the high-slits of the side parts means that the high-slits extend primarily vertically upwards. This is due to the fact that the side parts of the packaging usually extend approximately perpendicular to the at least one, as a rule and preferably horizontally arranged bottom part.

However, such a geometric alignment of the parts to one another is not restrictive in the sense of the present application. Instead, it is also conceivable that in each case a side part and the bottom part together include an angle which is smaller than 90 °, for example 80 °. With a suitable packaging are opposite side parts are typically inclined in opposite directions to a vertical, so that the package as a whole when viewed in a cross section has an upwardly reduced width. Even with such an embodiment of a package, the high slots extend substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the package, although no exact parallelism is given. It is understood that the high slots are in each case located within a side plane of the respectively associated side part.

The "intermediate area" designates an area that is located between adjacent installation areas of the floor part. Due to the orientation of the bottom part, it is understood that the erection areas thereof are arranged next to one another. The containers are typically arranged at a certain distance from each other so that they have no direct contact with each other. In this way, clinking of the same is prevented especially in containers formed by glass. In order to ensure the distance between the containers, adjacent installation areas are spaced corresponding to each other. The resulting intermediate region consequently extends in a vertical direction between the adjacent installation areas. In a commercially available box for containers such intermediate areas are formed by partitions, the individual parking spaces of individual containers spatially separated from each other, so that the containers have no direct contact.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a set of a packaging and a plurality of containers, in particular of beverage bottles.

State of the art

Packaging of the type described above in the prior art already widely known. They are to be found in particular in the form of so-called "six-packs" as packaging for beverage bottles in the trade. Likewise, containers are known which are suitable for smaller containers formed by plastic.

In particular, in the field of beverage bottles come as a means for summarizing a variety of bottles in addition to the aforementioned boxes Einstellboxes used. Such boxes are known in different formats. For example, typical beer crates offer twenty-four slots each for a beer bottle, arranged in a 6x4 grid. The individual parking spaces are separated by means of partitions according to the above description.

If reusable containers are used, there is a trade problem in terms of delivery and return of reusable containers. This concerns in particular cases in which the reusable containers are delivered independently of associated Einstellkästen, but in their repatriation each individually, detached from their original packaging, must be returned in a box to the manufacturer or each bottling a product operation.

This problem is particularly easy to grasp on the example of beer bottles: these are first sold in retail in large numbers in the form of six-packs to the customer. It is understood that the packaging can not be set in commercial Einstellkästen that are equipped with the partitions described above. This is due to the fact that a respective packaging collides with the partitions of an adjustment box and as a result the packaging can not enter the individual storage spaces of the adjustment box.

To counter this problem, two solutions are known: First, the trade uses special Einstellkästen that do without appropriate partitions. The function of preventing a clinking contact between the bottles is then taken over solely by the packaging of the containers. A fixation of the individual packages in the respective box is achieved by means of individual columnar elevations, which effectively enter into a space between the bottles and thus at least provide some lateral support against slipping and tilting of the packages.

On the other hand packaging is known, which are provided with special slots. These extend in the side parts of the package and are positioned so that the package does not collide with its partitions when placed in a box. Examples of such packaging include the documents DE 23 57 979 A1 . DE 297 16 402 U1 . CH 652 090 A5 and US 1,968,877 known.

At the retailer, the individual packages are removed from the box and presented on the sales area. The customer then transports the consolidated containers home. There, the containers are removed from the packaging and consumed their contents. The packaging, which is usually formed by a cardboard box, is disposed of as trash. The containers themselves are typically returned to the manufacturer in a reusable system.

For the return of the returnable bottles, the bottles are individually returned by the customer to a collection point, especially in a supermarket issued. Subsequently, the bottles are transported on the transport not each individually by itself, but again in the form of larger containers. For this purpose, the individual containers are set by the retailer in associated Einstellkästen. Due to the lack of stability of the packaging in Einstellkasten according to the former solution, the variant is not satisfactory. But even the second solution leads to stability problems, but here in the package itself. The stiffness of the entire package is namely reduced by the slots that are necessary for "dodging" the partitions, so that the packaging acts as such unstable. In particular, the individual containers in the package "lick", in the worst case collide with each other and take damage, in the case of glass containers in the worst case to break. This also involves the risk of a reduced quality impression at the customer, which of course is not desirable.

Furthermore, it is from the French patent FR 1,586,086 A a package is known, which is constructed in two parts and has a clip and a Einassteil, wherein the clip supports the container at two support levels and the Einassteil the containers bordered such that they stand up on a bottom part of the Einfaßtils. Although the packaging shown is stably formed with the clip, but can not be set in a box provided with partitions box.

task

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a package that provides a logistically simple return and return of containers and also has a high stability in itself.

solution

The underlying object is achieved on the basis of a package of the type described above according to the invention by a package having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims 2 to 9.

The packaging according to the invention has many advantages. In particular, it is suitable to be set in a commercial box, which has the usual partitions described above. This is achieved by means of the described high slots. Namely, the high slots form precisely those recesses which are necessary so that the package does not collide with the dividing walls when set in a box. The position of the high slots is therefore directly dependent from a respective box in which the packaging is to be set. This also results in the necessity that the high slots must be arranged in intermediate areas between adjacent installation areas of the bottom part, as at just these positions or in just these areas, the Einstellkästen have their partitions. It should be understood that the high slots must each have a height such that when setting the package in a box setting the Hochschlitz - viewed from a bottom of the box - only ends above a respective partition.

Furthermore, the packaging according to the invention has the significant advantage that the containers are fixed relative to each other by the action of the clip compared to the prior art. Advantageously, the clip is disposed in an upper region of the package to avoid collision of the clip with the partitions. The clip may in particular include the top part of the packaging, wherein the individual containers advantageously engage in force-transmitting manner with the clip, so that their own weight by means of the clip at least partially, possibly completely, can be worn. Furthermore, the clip is useful to fix the container in the lateral direction, that is to avoid their movement in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis. Advantageously, a height of the clip relative to a height of each container to be summarized is between 20% and 60%, preferably between 30% and 50%, with the clip preferably extending downwardly from an upper end of the container.

The top wall and the bottom wall are in each case in engagement with the containers to be combined so that they or the clip as a whole can absorb a torque. This results mechanically from a pair of forces, with one force flowing into the upper wall and the other force in the lower wall and the lever arm between the forces corresponds to the distance between the upper wall and lower wall. The torque-transmitting fixation causes a tilting of the container is prevented. This embodiment of the clip leads in particular to the fact that a direct contact of the container is avoided, in particular a clink of glass containers. Overall, the rigidity of the packaging and thus the quality impression of the same are increased.

By means of the recesses of the clip, the same can engage in a particularly form-fitting manner with the containers and in this way enable a force flow between a respective container and the clip.

The containers to be summarized are generally rotationally symmetrical about their vertical axis. If this is the case, the recesses in the top wall and the bottom wall are advantageously also at least substantially rotationally symmetrical. In order to achieve the above-described effect that one and the same container penetrates mutually corresponding recesses of the lower wall and the upper wall at the same time, these recesses are preferably arranged coaxially with one another. In other words, the passage of a container through mutually corresponding recesses is especially possible when the container stands upright substantially perpendicular to the bottom part of the package.

The recesses in the upper wall and the lower wall may have different areas or sizes. This depends in particular on how the respective container to be fixed is formed. As far as the containers are beverage bottles, it is common for them to expand downwardly from an upper end. Accordingly, in this case, recesses of the lower wall are made larger in their cross section than those of the upper wall. In any case, the diameter or the cross section of a respective recess should be selected so that an edge of the recess is in direct contact with the container. This is advantageous insofar as the container is thereby prevented from lateral movement by means of the upper wall and the lower wall, since it abuts directly against the edge or the edges of the upper wall and / or lower wall. It is understood that in this embodiment, the desired fixing effect of the clip is achieved particularly well.

The packaging according to the invention means that now a single type of box can be used in the traffic, regardless of whether the individual containers are in turn delivered in Einstellkästen or in packaging of the type described here. In particular, such Einstellkasten are no longer necessary, which are designed without partitions to be suitable for setting today's known packaging. At the same time an additional fixation of the container is achieved relative to each other due to the clip. Overall, the packaging is stiffened compared to the prior art.

The packaging according to the invention has the further advantage that it can ensure a significantly increased stability of the individual containers or the packaging in combination with a "normal" setting box in traffic, than is possible by means of the special setting boxes. For example, it is conceivable that a special, without Partition walls executed box is not fully occupied, that is, individual parking spaces are free. Even if several containers are combined by means of a package and are set in such, not fully occupied special box, it is particularly easy to imagine lack of existing partitions that - for example, in the course of a delivery trip by means of a truck - the entire package together with the summarized container within of the setting box falls over. In contrast, the packages of the invention are adapted to cooperate with normal Einstellkästen, the packages are stabilized in total by the existing partition walls in these boxes; the risk of unwanted falling over of one or more containers is therefore not to be feared.

A further advantage of the packaging according to the invention, which has at least one second bottom part arranged next to the first bottom part, is that the adjacent bottom parts are at least indirectly interconnected by means of at least one middle part. Such a central part preferably has at least two middle walls, which are connected to one another at an end facing away from the bottom plane and cooperate at their end facing the bottom plane in each case with one of the adjacent bottom parts.

The middle part extends at least substantially perpendicular to the bottom part, that is approximately parallel to the side parts. It is understood that run between the adjacent floor parts in a box, the partition walls described, which delimit the individual parking spaces for the container spatially. In order to still be able to adjust the packaging in the box, it is therefore not possible to permanently connect the adjacent floor parts directly in the floor level. If this were the case, such a connection point would collide in the course of setting in the box with the appropriate partition wall, which is arranged between the bottom parts.

The middle part described is therefore designed so that one of its middle walls extends from the bottom plane upwards, to a height which lies above the respective partition wall of the box. The second middle wall of the central part then extends from the upper end of the first middle wall, as it were, on the other side of the partition wall down to the floor level, where it is finally connected to the second floor part. In other words, the middle part has an inverted V-shape.

It is not absolutely necessary for the middle walls of the middle part described above to be connected directly to one another. Instead, it is also conceivable that such a connection takes place using an additional connecting piece which, for example, can extend above the dividing walls in a horizontal plane between upper ends of the two middle walls.

If the middle part is designed to be continuous, comparable to the side parts, the middle part must have corresponding high slots in its middle walls in order to avoid a collision with the partitions of the setting box. The corresponding high slots extend, starting from the bottom plane of the bottom part, at least substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the packaging within the respective middle wall. Comparable to the side parts, the high slots are each arranged in between regions of the respective middle walls, wherein the intermediate regions between adjacent installation areas of the or the floor parts are arranged.

Advantageously, a measured parallel to the vertical axis length of each Hochschlitzes at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, a height of summarized by means of the packaging container. In carrying out such a relationship between the height of the container height or length of the high slots, a combination of the packaging according to the invention with the most common Einstellkästen is possible.

The packaging according to the invention further ausgestaltend, the bottom part between at least two adjacent installation areas on a constriction. In this constriction area, a cross-section of the bottom part is constricted in relation to the installation areas. In an extreme case, this constriction can affect the entire cross-section of the bottom part in the constriction area, so that the bottom part is completely severed between adjacent installation areas. In other words, a connection of adjacent installation areas of a bottom part is not absolutely necessary, nevertheless due to an improved stability of the entire packaging usually available.

The constriction was expressed in the form of at least one recess extending from at least one side edge of the bottom part in the direction of a central region of the bottom part. Ideally, the bottom part has in its constricting area a total of two recesses, which in each case extend from opposite side edges of the bottom part toward one another in the direction of the central region of the bottom part. In the middle area of the constriction area, In a sense, as a connecting web between the installation areas of the bottom part, in such an embodiment, only a "connecting tongue" remains, which connects the adjacent installation areas together.

When setting the package according to the invention in a normal box, it is necessary that the individual installation areas of the package can each stand isolated in a single parking space of the box. However, these parking spaces are known to be spatially separated from each other by means of the partitions. A connection between adjacent installation areas must therefore be severed in the course of setting the packaging in the box. The constriction described in this context has the advantage that the separation of a merely remaining residual cross section between the adjacent installation areas when setting the packaging in the box requires less effort than would be the case if the cross section of the bottom part between the installation areas would be unchanged ,

In an advantageous embodiment, the residual cross section of the base part remaining between the installation areas has a perforation which coincides in its orientation with the orientation of a respectively corresponding partition wall of the setting box when the package is set in a setting box. In other words, the perforation extends as it were within the bottom plane of the bottom part perpendicular to a connecting line between the adjacent installation areas. The perforation has the advantage that the piercing of the residual cross section by means of a respective partition wall can be made simpler, that is to say by means of a lower puncture force.

An advantageous embodiment of the packaging according to the invention comprises in at least one of its side parts at least one side recess which extends at least substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the packaging and starting from the bottom plane in the respective side part. Such a side recess is arranged in an installation area of the side part, which corresponds to an associated installation area of the bottom part. The side recess thus extends to a certain extent parallel to a slot arranged in the same side part, but is arranged laterally offset next to the slot, not in the intermediate areas between adjacent installation areas, but in the "installation area" of the side part.

Such a side recess has the particular advantage that the associated side wall does not cover the respective containers combined with the packaging must completely enclose. Instead, it is possible that a container in the region of the side recess to a certain extent from one side of the side part passes through the side recess of the side part, but at the same time laterally fixed by means of the side part, since a width of the container significantly exceeds a width of the side recess. In other words, the side recess only allows the passage of a certain part of the container through the side wall. As a result, the package does not protrude laterally beyond the containers in a cross-section so that a width of the package as a whole is not greater than a width of all the containers arranged side by side in the width direction. In this way, it is avoided that the package when setting in a setting box in a frictional contact with the partitions, in particular rubs on the parting and "pinched" is.

Advantageously, the package comprises a plurality of side recesses, so that each individual container corresponds with associated side recesses.

The height of a side recess should also extend over at least 40% of the container height, preferably at least 50% of the container height, more preferably at least 60% of the container height. An extension of the height of the side recesses over the entire height of a container is not necessary in most cases, since the containers are typically tapered upwards and thus decrease in width.

The packaging according to the invention is furthermore particularly advantageous if it has at least one second bottom part, which is arranged next to the first bottom part along a longitudinal axis of the packaging. By means of such packaging, it is particularly easy to summarize a larger number of containers, without the packaging must be carried out for this excessively long. In other words, it is advantageous for the practicability of a package, if the same has a compact floor plan, the length-width ratio is preferably a maximum of 3: 1, more preferably a maximum of 2: 1.

The packaging according to the invention is particularly advantageous if it is formed as a maximum of two pieces, preferably in one piece, wherein it receives its final shape in which it is suitable for combining the container, preferably by means of a deformation, starting from an initial state. Such a package is particularly easy to produce from a bendable material, in particular of paper or cardboard.

The production of the packaging is particularly easy, if selbige consists of as few parts. In particular, in the case that the packaging is formed of cardboard, it is particularly easy to produce a stamping pattern or pattern, from which the packaging is then foldable. If the packaging is formed in pieces, in particular in two pieces, it is particularly advantageous if the individual parts are connected to one another in a force-transmitting manner, in particular by means of gluing or gluing. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the at least one bottom part, the side parts and possibly the at least one middle part are integrally formed, that is formed by a single part, while the ceiling part is made separately and then connected to the other part of the packaging in force-transmitting manner, especially glued, is. In particular, the ceiling part may be formed by the clip or the clip may include the ceiling part. For example, the top wall of the clip may form the top part of the package.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the upper wall and / or the lower wall of the clip on at least one recess at least one fixing means extending from the edge of the respective recess in the cross section of the recess and in such relative to the rest of the upper wall or lower wall movable is that in the course of the passage of at least a portion of a container through the recess, the fixing agent is displaceable. The fixing agent should advantageously be designed so elastic that it is willing to move back after its displacement from an initial position in said initial position. In this way, it is particularly easy to bring the fixing in the course of penetration of the respective recess by means of a respective container in contact with the container and intervene there, for example, with a corresponding locking element or the like.

As a latching element, for example, serve a projection which projects radially beyond the container to the vertical axis of the container. In particular, it is particularly easy to imagine that such a projection is present in the region of the closure of the container, using the example of a beer bottle in the form of a protruding crown cork. After passing the container through the recess and the concomitant displacement of the fixing the fixing agent then engages positively with the corresponding locking element of the container and thus prevents a return of the container in the opposite direction from the clip or the recess out. In this way, the containers can be fixed to the packaging.

The clip is also advantageous if the fixing means is formed integrally with the respective lower wall or upper wall, wherein a transitional cross section between the fixing means and the remaining lower wall or upper wall is preferably provided with a V-shaped slot, so that a rigidity of the transition cross section is reduced. Such fixative can be particularly easily formed from a piece of folding cartons together with the rest of the clip in particular in the course of producing a clip from a folding carton, the slot described can be particularly easily punched.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the clip is provided with a double-layered top wall and / or a double-layered bottom wall. In particular, a double-layered top wall may be advantageous. For the purposes of the present application, a "double-layered" wall is understood to mean that the respective wall is formed by two material layers lying directly above one another and in contact with one another. Using the example of a clip formed by a folding carton, for example, the top wall is formed from two layers of material, wherein in each case a material layer is connected to a side wall of the clip. These material layers can, for example, in the course of the production of the clip to a certain extent "crossed over" and then connected to each other, in particular glued be.

It is understood that each of the material layers must each have the recesses through which the containers can extend. If the clip has the above-described fixing means, it can also be particularly useful, in particular, to make the top wall double-layered and to arrange the fixing means on the recesses of the top wall. Furthermore, it may then be advantageous for each of the material layers of the top wall to have fixing means at their recesses, the fixing means being arranged so as to be mutually rotated relative to one another at mutually corresponding recesses of the two material layers of the top wall. In particular, four fixing means can be arranged on each recess, which are each rotated by 90 ° relative to each other. The fixing means of one of the material layers are then preferably "shifted in phase" with respect to the other material layer, for example by 45 °. In this way, the recess of the upper wall has a total of eight fixing means, which are distributed in each case offset by 45 ° relative to each other along the edge of the recess.

Regardless of the formation of the clip in detail, it is particularly advantageous if it is connected to form a frictional connection with the rest of the package. It is particularly easy to imagine that the side walls of the clip are connected to the side parts of the package, in particular by means of an adhesive bond. This embodiment is advantageous above all with regard to a favorable production method for the packaging according to the invention, as will be described below in connection with the method according to the invention.

The clip described may be integrally formed, regardless of its design comparable to the rest of the package, in particular of a single piece of folding carton. Such a folding carton can then be folded into a desired shape so that the clip is formed. The packaging is formed in such an embodiment of the clip a total of at least two pieces.

Starting from a set of the type described above, the object underlying the invention is further achieved in that a measured perpendicular to a vertical longitudinal plane width of the bottom part in its installation areas is less than a width of a container bottom of a respective container.

Such a set is particularly well suited to be set in a commercially available box, since the packaging does not project beyond an "outer cross-section" of the container and thus generates no additional space in the box. In other words, fits such a package or such a set readily in the Einstellplätze a known box.

Advantageously, the set is designed so that a wall of a container, in particular a lateral wall of the same, projects beyond a side plane of a lateral part closing off the packaging laterally. In this way, it is avoided that a side part of the package of the set comes into contact with a partition wall of an adjustment box, in particular rubs against this. Advantageously, the packaging has one or more side recesses, through which the respective wall of the container projects beyond the packaging.

The underlying object is further achieved on the basis of an adjustment box of the type described above in that a prescribed set in the box is set or adjusted. Such a box is thus able to accommodate a plurality of combined containers which cooperate with a package, although the box has the partition walls described. The provision of special Einstellkästen that do without partitions, is therefore no longer necessary.

embodiments

Fig. 1:

Eine Draufsicht eines Schnittmusters einer erfindungsgemäßen Verpackung, die zweistückig ausgeführt ist,

Fig. 2:

Eine Draufsicht eines Schnittmusters einer weiteren Verpackung, die zweistückig ausgeführt ist,

Fig. 3:

Eine isometrische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Sets aus einer erfindungsgemäßen Verpackung gemäß Figur 1 und Behältern, wobei sich das Set in einem unfertigen Zustand befindet,

Fig. 4:

Eine Stirnansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Sets gemäß Figur 3, wobei sich das Set in einem fertigen Zustand befindet,

Fig. 5:

Eine isometrische Ansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Sets gemäß Figur 4,

Fig. 6:

Eine isometrische Ansicht eines Sets aus der Verpackung gemäß Figur 2 und Behältern,

Fig. 7:

Ein im Stand der Technik bekannter Einstellkasten mit Trennwänden und

Fig. 8:

Das erfindungsgemäße Set gemäß Figuren 4 und 5, das in den Einstellkasten gemäß Figur 7 eingestellt ist.

The packaging according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment which is illustrated in the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1:

A top view of a sectional pattern of a packaging according to the invention, which is designed in two pieces,

Fig. 2:

A top view of a sectional pattern of another packaging, which is designed in two pieces,

3:

An isometric view of a kit according to the invention from a packaging according to the invention according to FIG. 1 and containers, the kit being in an unfinished state,

4:

An end view of the inventive set according to FIG. 3 , where the set is in a finished state,

Fig. 5:

An isometric view of the inventive set according to FIG. 4 .

Fig. 6:

An isometric view of a set from the package according to FIG. 2 and containers,

Fig. 7:

A known in the art Einstellkasten with partitions and

Fig. 8:

The set according to the invention FIGS. 4 and 5 in the box according to FIG. 7 is set.

A first embodiment, which is in FIG. 1 is shown, comprises a package 1, which is designed in two pieces. The packaging 1 is in FIG. 1 shown in an initial state in which the package 1 is not yet assembled. The representation according to FIG. 1 is also called a pattern. The package 1 is suitable for combining a total of six containers 2 , wherein the container 2 in FIG. 1 are not shown.

The package 1 comprises two bottom parts 4 which are laterally relative to one in FIG. 3 shown longitudinal axis 17 are arranged side by side. The longitudinal axis 17 of the package 1 extends - relative to FIG. 1 considered - perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, that is, parallel to the two bottom parts 4. The bottom parts 4 each have three mounting areas 6 . Intermediate areas 10 are respectively located between these installation areas 6. The installation areas 6 are suitable for accommodating one respective container 2 to be held by means of the packaging 1 , wherein FIG. 1 the containers 2 are not shown.

Between the installation areas 6, that is , as it were, in the intermediate areas 10, the floor parts 4 each have constrictions. These are formed by recesses 14 , which extends from a side edge 13 of the respective bottom part 4 in the direction of a central region of the bottom part 4 . These recesses 14 are designed to be symmetrical in the packaging 1 shown, so that in the intermediate regions 10 only a web is maintained, which connects the adjacent installation areas 6 of the respective bottom part 4 with each other. The web has a perforation 34 , which makes it possible to sever the web while applying the lowest possible force and in this way to divide the respective bottom part 4 , namely into individual areas corresponding to the installation areas 6 . This embodiment makes it possible, the package 1, if it is in its final state and equipped with containers 2 , set in a box 30 , wherein webs are pierced along their perforation 34 by means of partitions 32 . A corresponding box 30 will be described below in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8 explained in more detail.

At each of the two floor parts 4 each have a side part 5 is connected. These side parts 5 extend starting from the side edge 13 of the respective bottom part 4. In the final state of the packaging 1 , the side parts 5 form a lateral wall of the packaging 1 to a certain extent . The side parts 5 have two different types of slits. On the one hand, they have side recesses 15, which are arranged in the installation areas 6 of the packaging 1 . That is, these side recesses 15 extend from those points of the side edge 13 of the respective bottom part 4 , which - viewed from the bottom part 4 of the package 1 - are located in the installation areas 6 .

On the other hand, the side parts 5 have high slots 7. In the example shown, the high slots 7 are viewed in the longitudinal direction of the package 1 narrower than the side recesses 15. The high slots 7 correspond to the intermediate regions 10 of the bottom parts 4. They also fall in the example shown with the recesses 14 , which are arranged between the installation areas 6 of the bottom parts 4 . In this way, the high slots 7 and the corresponding recesses 14 each form a common opening in the material of which the package 1 is formed. This material is in the example shown to cardboard or to a cardboard box.

The side recesses 15 serve containers 2, are placed in the installation areas 6 of the floor parts 4 , to give the possibility to protrude in the final state of the package 1 on a side plane of the side parts 5 beyond the package 1 . This results particularly well from the FIGS. 5 and 6 , The high slots 7 are provided so that the package 1 can be set in a box 30 without the side pieces 5 collide with the partitions 32 of the box 30 . This will be particularly good below FIG. 8 ,

In the example shown, the high slits 7 each have a length 11 of 12 cm measured from the respectively associated side edge 13 . Their length thus corresponds approximately to 65% of a height 12 of the container 2 to be consolidated by means of the packaging 1. This ratio is particularly good FIG. 4 recognizable.

The two bottom parts 4 of the package 1 are interconnected by means of a central part 18 . The middle part 18 comprises two middle walls 19, which, comparable to the side parts 5, each extend from a side edge 13 of a respective bottom part 4 . The middle walls 19 are basically formed very similar to the side parts 5 . This results, in particular, from the fact that the middle walls 19 have side recesses 21 comparable to the side parts 5 , which serve to enable a container 2 positioned in an installation area 6 to pass through the respective middle walls 19 . The middle walls 9 are connected directly to one another at the end remote from the base parts 4 . In the final state of the package 1 , the middle walls 19 each extend approximately perpendicularly to a bottom plane 8 of the bottom parts 4, so that in the final state they effectively form an inverted "V".

The bottom parts 4 are indirectly connected to each other by means of the middle part 18 . The middle part 18 thus makes it possible to form a package 1 in which two or more bottom parts 4 are arranged next to one another but are nevertheless connected to one another and can not move independently of one another. This gives the package 1 a total of increased rigidity, which makes positive in the course of transport of the package 1 . The V-shaped design of the central portion 18 in the form of its two middle walls 19 serves to "lead around" the package 1 in the area between the adjacent floor parts 4 so to speak about the partitions 32 of a respective box 30 ". The middle part 18 and its function are particularly simple on the basis of Figures 5 and 8th ,

Comparable to the side parts 5 , the middle walls 19 also have high slots 20 , which avoid a collision of the middle walls 19 with partitions 32 of an adjustment box 30 . The high slots 20 thus fulfill the same purpose as the high slots 7 of the side parts 5; the packaging 1 is by its action in a "normal" Adjustable box 30 adjustable. A length of the high slots 20 is slightly reduced compared to the length 11 of the high slots 7 , which is due to the limited length of the middle walls 19 . In the example shown, the high slots 20 each have a length of 11 cm measured from the respective side edge 13 .

At an upper end of the package 1 , the same includes a second piece, that is, a separate component in the initial state of the package 1 . This is formed here by a clip 22 . The clip 22 comprises a total of one of two layers of material formed top wall 24, two side walls 23 and a bottom wall 25. The clip 22 is in FIG. 1 shown in its initial state, which corresponds to a pattern of the clip 22 . The top wall 24 of the clip 22 forms a cover part 3 of the package 1. The package 1 thus has in the form of the two layers of material of the top wall 24 so to speak, two ceiling parts 3, which lie directly on each other in the final state of the package 1 and are arranged parallel to each other. This results particularly well based on the representation according to the FIGS. 4 to 6 ,

The top wall 24 has a total of six recesses 26 , it being understood that each of the material layers has six recesses each. These recesses 26 each cooperate with four fixing means 28 which are formed here in the form of locking lugs. These latching noses each extend from an edge 29 of the respective recess 26 into the recess 26 , so that a cross section of a respective recess 26 is reduced by the action of the fixing means 28 . Out FIG. 1 it is apparent that the fixing means 28 of a top wall 24 rotated on the respective recesses 26 are oriented at 45 ° with respect to the fixing means 28 of the other material layer of the top wall 24th This has for a fixation of the summarized by means of the package 1 container 2 has a positive effect, which will be explained separately below. The fixing means 28 are integrally formed on the material layers, wherein a transition cross-section at the respective edge 29 of a recess 26 has a V-shaped slits. This reduces the rigidity of the transition cross section and thereby simplifies the deformation of the fixing means relative to the remaining upper wall 24. The material layers of the upper wall 24 are glued together here and thus form a unit.

The lower wall 25 of the clip 22 in turn has six recesses 27 , which are arranged in the final state of the package 1, so to speak coaxially with the recesses 26 of the upper wall 24 . This means that in the final state of the package 1, an at least substantially perpendicular straight line likewise contains recesses 26, 27 corresponding to the center points.

The recesses 27 have over the recesses 26 an enlarged cross-section. This is due to the fact that at least in the example shown summarized container 2 , starting from an upper end to expand downward. Since the Unterwandung 25 spaced apart in the final state of the package 1 located below the Oberwandungen 24, it is understood that the recesses 27 have to maintain correspondingly more space for the container. 2 The distance between the top wall 24 and the bottom wall 25 corresponds to a height of the side walls 23. The latter are in the final state of the package 1 and the clip 22 respectively oriented approximately perpendicular to planes of both the bottom wall 25 and the top walls 24 . Overall, the clip 22 extends over a height which corresponds to about 35% of the height of the container 2 .

The top wall 24 has, in addition to the recesses 26 in each case two mutually corresponding handle openings 16 . These serve to be able to comfortably carry the package 1 with one hand, in which the possibility is created to intervene from an upper side of the package 1 into the grip openings 16 and thus to lift the package 1 .

FIG. 2 shows an alternative packaging 1, which in contrast to the package 1 according to FIG. 1 is suitable for combining a total of three containers 2 , wherein the container 2 in FIG. 2 are not shown. The packaging 1 according to FIG. 2 comprises only a single bottom part 4 and therefore has no middle part 18 . The side parts 5 are connected directly along two sides of the bottom part 4 to the same. Incidentally, the functions of the side recesses 15 and the high slots 7 of the side parts 5 are identical to the above explanation FIG. 1 , Likewise, the explanations in Clip 22 apply FIG. 1 analogous to the clip 22 according to FIG. 2 ,

For a better understanding of the packaging 1 according to the invention FIG. 1 is same in FIG. 3 shown in a kind of intermediate state in which the clip 22 is already in its final state, but a lower part of the package 1 is not yet connected to the clip 22 . This connection takes place here by means of a bonding of the side parts 5 with the side walls 23 of the clip 22. The corresponding final state of the package 1 is in FIG. 5 shown. Out FIG. 3 is particularly well the V-shaped design of the middle part 18 recognizable. Likewise, the individual installation areas 6 can be seen , in which the individual containers 2 are each set up. Furthermore, it follows that the recesses 34 of the bottom parts 4 and the high slots 7 of the side parts 5 each extend in intermediate regions 10 .

From the FIGS. 3 and 4 the effect of the fixative 28 is particularly evident. These have been displaced in the course of a passage of the container 2 from their original position in the initial state of the clip 22 . Despite their displacement, they continue to contact the material layer of the top wall 24 and are able to divert forces to the top wall 24 . It can be seen particularly clearly that the fixing means 28 engage positively with a closure of a respective container 2 and prevent the container 2 from being guided out of the respective recess 26 in a downward direction. In other words, the fixing means 28 serve to carry the container 2 and to relieve the bottom parts 4 of the package 1 in this way. A load transfer of the packaging is consequently effected by means of a combined action of the fixing means 28 and the bottom parts 4.

The relatively twisted arrangement of the fixing means 28 in the two layers of material of the upper wall 24 leads to the advantageous effect that respective spaces between adjacent fixing means 28 of a recess 26 can be filled by means of correspondingly twisted oriented fixing means 28 of the corresponding recesses 26 , so that the container 2 in total twice the number of fixing means 28 can be fixed than would be possible if only a single layer of material would have fixing means 28 .

Out FIG. 4 is particularly well seen that both the side portions 5 and the Mittelwandungen 19 of package 1 in approximately parallel to a vertical axis 9 of package 1 are oriented. Incidentally, the same applies to the side walls 23 of the clip 22.

A final state of the package 1 according to FIG. 2 is for the sake of completeness FIG. 6 refer to. In the FIGS. 5 and 6 the function of the side recesses 15 of the side parts 5 is particularly well recognizable. It can be seen that the containers 2 project with their lateral walls in each case beyond a side plane of a respective side part 5 . This has the advantage that the package 1 does not increase a total width of the container 2 , that is claimed in addition to the containers 2 no additional space. The latter would have the disadvantage that the packaging 1 comes into contact with the dividing walls 32 when it is set in an adjusting box 30 , in particular rubs against them, and thus would make it more difficult to set and remove the packaging 1 from the setting box 30 .

By means of FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrates how the package 1 according to the invention interacts with a setting box 30 . Such a box 30 has a plurality of parking spaces 31, wherein the box 30 shown here has a total of 24 parking spaces. The individual parking spaces 31 are spatially separated from each other by means of partitions 32 . The partitions 32 extend from a bottom 33 of the box 30 upwards vertically, wherein a height of the partition walls 32 is tuned to respective container 2 to be supported by the box 30 . In the example shown here, the partitions 32 have a height of about 40% relative to the height 12 of the containers 2 . The box 30 is peripherally bordered by means of an outer edge 35 towards its sides.

FIG. 8 shows the box 30 including a set of six containers 2 and the package 1 according to the invention , by means of which the containers 2 are summarized. It can be seen particularly clearly that the packaging 1 dodges the high partitions 32 of the setting box 30 by virtue of the high slot 7 and the V-shaped configuration of the middle part 18 , so that the packaging 1 can be easily adjusted into the setting box 30 . Packaging known in the art is incapable of doing so because it would collide with the partitions 32 of the control box 30 .

The "setting" of the container 2 includes here, so to speak, the retraction of the container 2 in the parking spaces 31 of the box 30 a simple "erection" of containers 2 in a sense to a level above the dividing walls 32 is therefore not to be understood as setting within the meaning of the present application ,

Claims (11)

1. Package (1) for combining a plurality of containers (2), in particular drinks bottles, comprising

   - at least one cover part (3)

   - at least one first and one second base part (4) as well as

   - at least two side parts (5) at distance from one another,
   wherein the side parts (5) are each connected both to a cover part (3) and to a base part (4) in a force-transmitting manner,
   wherein the first base part (4) comprises at least two placement areas (6), wherein in each placement area (6) a container base of a respective container (2) can be placed on the first base part (4),
   wherein the side parts (5) each have at least one vertical slit (7) which starting from a base plane (8) of the base part (7) extends at least essentially in parallel to the vertical axis (9) of the package (1) within the respective side part (5),
   wherein the vertical slits (7) are each arranged in an intermediate area (10) of the respective side part (5) which extends between adjacent placement areas (6) of the base parts (4),
   wherein the first base part (4) is arranged next to the second base part (4), seen along a longitudinal axis (17) of the package (1), wherein the adjacent base parts (4) are at least indirectly connected by means of at least one middle part (18) and the middle part (18) has at least two middle walls (19), wherein the middle walls (19) are connected to each other at an end facing away from the base plane (8) and at the end facing the base plane (8) each interact with one of the adjoining base parts (4),
   characterised by a clip (22), by means of which the containers (2) to be combined can be fixed relative to each other in an upper area of the package (1),
   wherein the clip (22) comprises at last two side walls (23) at a distance as well as in parallel to one another, at least one upper wall (24) and at least one lower wall (25) at a distance as well as in parallel to the upper wall, wherein the side walls (23) are each connected to at least one upper wall (24) and at least one lower wall (25) in a force-transmitting manner,
   wherein the lower wall (25) and the upper wall (24) each comprise a plurality of recesses (26, 27), which are each suitable for the passing through of at least one part of a container (2) and wherein in each case at least one recess (26) of the upper wall (24) corresponds with at least one recess (27) of the lower wall (25) in such a way that a container (2) held by means of the package (1) penetrates both a recess (26) of the upper wall and also a recess (27) of the lower wall (25) corresponding thereto,
   wherein the side parts (5) of the package (1) are connected by means of a force-transmitting connection to side walls (23) of the clip (22).
2. Package (1) according to claim 1 characterised in that between at least two adjacent placement areas (6) the base part (4) has a constricted area in which in the base part (4) starting from at least one side edge (13) of the base part (4) at least one recess (14) extends in the direction of the middle area of the base part (4).
3. Package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2 characterised in that at least one side part (5) has at least one side recess (15), which extends at least essentially in parallel to the vertical axis (9) of the package (1) and starts from the base plane (8) in the respective side part (5), wherein the side recess (15) is arranged in a side area of the side part (5) corresponding to a placement area (6) of the base part (4) .
4. Package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that at least one middle wall (19) of the middle part (18), preferably all the middle walls (19), has/have at least one vertical slit (20), which starting from the base plane (8) at least essentially extends in parallel to the vertical axis (9) of the package (1) within the respective middle wall (19), wherein in each case the vertical slit (20) is arranged in an intermediate area of the respective middle wall (19) which extends between adjacent placement areas (6) of at least one base part (4).
5. Package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the upper wall (24) and/or the lower wall (25) is/are formed of two material layers which are arranged directly on top of one another and are in contact with each other, wherein preferably one material layer in each case is connected with a side wall (23).
6. Package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the upper wall (24) and/or the lower wall (25) has/have, on at least one recess (26), at least one fixing means (28), which, starting from an edge (29) of a respective recess (26), extends into the cross-section of the recess (26) and is movable relative to the remaining upper wall (24) and/or lower wall (25) in such a way that during the passing through of at least one part of the container (2) through the respective recess (26) the fixing means (28) is displaceable by container (2).
7. Package (1) according to claim 6 characterised in that by way of the fixing means (28) after the passing through of at least one part of the container (2), a positive connection with at least one part of the container (2) can be formed so that passing the container (2) back out of the recess (26) is blocked.
8. Package (1) according to claim 6 or 7 characterised in that the fixing means (28) is formed in one piece with the respective lower wall (25) and/or upper wall (24), wherein a transition cross-section between the fixing means (28) and the remaining lower wall (25) and/or upper wall (24) with a V-shaped slit is provided so that stiffness of the transition cross-section is reduced.
9. Package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterised in that the cover part (3) of the package is formed by the upper wall (24) of the clip (22)
10. Set consisting of a package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 as well as a plurality of containers (2), in particular drinks bottles, combined by means of the package (1),
    characterised in that
    a width (29), measured in a longitudinal plane of the set perpendicular to the vertical, of at least one base part (4) in its placement areas (6) is smaller than a width (39) of a container base of a respective container (2) .
11. Set according to claim 10 characterised in that a wall of a container (2) projects over a side plane of a side part (5) laterally closing the package (1), in particular projects over the package (1) through a side recess (15) of the respective side part (5).

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