EP4188824A1

EP4188824A1 - Strapping packaging and method for producing same

Info

Publication number: EP4188824A1
Application number: EP21742403.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas HENSEL; Thomas Stadler; Sebastian Schmid
Original assignee: Krones AG
Current assignee: Krones AG
Priority date: 2020-07-31
Filing date: 2021-07-13
Publication date: 2023-06-07
Also published as: DE102020120341A1; WO2022023019A1; CN219237948U

Abstract

The invention relates to strapping packaging (10) in which at least two articles (12) are held together by means of at least one strap (14) which is horizontally tightened around the articles (12). The strap (14) has a joint (26) which has a defined length and at which two overlapping strap ends (28, 30) are interconnected. The strap (14) has, by being folded over once or multiple times, two or more layers in the region of at least one of the two overlapping strap ends (28, 30). At the joint (26), each of the two strap ends (28, 30) has at least one incision and/or at least one folding edge having a folded-over or bent portion adjoining the at least one incision and/or at least one folding edge, wherein the incisions and/or folding edges of the two strap ends (28, 30) lie on top of each other at the joint (26), and wherein the folded-over or bent portions of the strap ends (28, 30) lying on top of each other at least partially abut one another and form-fittingly and adhesively interconnect the strap ends (28, 30) at the joint (26). The invention also relates to a method for producing strapping packaging (10) of this kind, in which at least two articles (12) are held together by means of at least one strap (14) which is horizontally tightened around the articles (12).

Description

Strapping package and method for its manufacture

The present invention relates to a strapping bundle having the features of independent claim 1 and a method for producing such a strapping bundle having the features of independent method claim 9.

For the purpose of transport, groups of similar items such as beverage containers are often grouped together in handy bundles with four, six or more items or containers, with the items or containers in these bundles being wrapped and held together with, for example, shrink film. In addition to the widespread foil packs or foil shrink packs, there are also so-called strapped packs, adhesive packs and combinations of these types of packs. While the individual articles or containers in the case of adhesive containers are joined directly to one another with adhesive by means of adhesive connections, the containers in the case of strapped containers are held together by means of at least one strapping strip stretched horizontally around the container. In order to fix the articles or containers in their position, it can be useful in the case of strapped bundles to attach two or more horizontal straps spaced apart from one another at different heights.

In the case of simple variants of such strapping bands, the bands can be formed by paper bands, which are to be made relatively wide for reasons of stability. Straps made of plastic are generally more stable and can therefore normally be pretensioned more than those made of paper that the containers cannot be deformed or even damaged due to excessive prestressing. However, a precise setting of the pre-tension can also prevent a container equipped with this from becoming too unstable during handling due to insufficient pre-tension and the containers being able to slip out of the bundle.

Last but not least, the use of plastic belts is increasingly being questioned for ecological reasons. The process-related time that is necessary for welding such strapping made of thermoplastic material has a negative effect on the achievable pack production performance, ie on the means of a Packaging machine in a certain unit of time produced from strapping.

Different variants of strapping containers for mechanically combining beverage containers are known from the prior art, for example from US Pat. No. 6,041,572 A, where two beverage containers are held together with a strapping band that encompasses the containers horizontally.

The primary aim of the invention is to provide a strapping package that is simple and inexpensive to produce and a method for the simple and inexpensive production of such strapping packages, in which no plastic straps are used in the interest of an environmentally friendly selection of materials, but in which a strapping that is mechanically sufficiently stable is used will.

This aim is achieved with the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous configurations are described by the dependent claims.

To achieve the stated aim, the present invention proposes a strapping bundle with the features of independent claim 1, in which at least two articles are held together by means of at least one strapping strip stretched horizontally around the article and are thereby held together as a bundle. The at least one strap has at least one joint of a defined length, at which two overlapping strap ends placed one on top of the other are connected to one another. The tape ends are part of a tape section of defined length, which is sufficient to include the desired number of articles that are to form the strapped bundle.

The individual components of the strapping bundle according to the invention, referred to here as articles, can be formed, for example, by liquid containers, beverage containers, plastic containers, metal cans, etc. Normally, these articles or containers are cylindrical, at least in sections, so that they can be held firmly together by means of a strap stretched horizontally around the articles or containers.

According to the invention it is provided that the strap is formed in at least two layers in the region of at least one of the two overlapping ends of the strap by at least simple folding, which increases the stability of the strap and the joint described below, with which the two belt ends are connected, increased significantly.

Optionally, it can also be provided that the strapping in the area of at least one of the two overlapping strap ends is formed in multiple layers by multiple folding, which can significantly increase the stability of the strapping and of the joint described below, with which the two strap ends are connected, compared to simple folding .

Optionally, the strapping of the strapping bundle according to the invention can be formed in two or more layers in the areas of both overlapping strap ends by simple or multiple folding. The at least one two-layer or multi-layer area of the strap is folded over at least one end of the strap in a direction away from the joint. If both strap ends are formed in two layers or multiple layers in the manner described, preferably both two-layer or multiple-layer regions of the strapping tape are folded over at the two overlapping tape ends in the directions away from the joint. This means that the folds of the strapping at the end of the strap are each folded outwards by 180°, which means that the flow of force of the pretensioning force of the strapping is not negatively influenced.

Furthermore, in the interest of improved strap stability, it can be advantageous if the at least one two-layer or multi-layer area of the strapping strap is glued at the end of the strap. In the same way it can be provided that both two-layer or multi-layer areas of the strapping are glued to the two overlapping ends of the strap after folding over.

In order to obtain these reinforced areas, the strapping is extended sufficiently so that kinked or folded areas can be formed in which the end of the strap is folded by 180° before the joint is made and the strap sections formed in this way can optionally be glued. Such a production step can usefully be carried out by the tool that also produces the strapping when using an endless belt for grouping and strapping of bundles.

Each of the two tape ends, at least one of which is designed in two or more layers, has at least one incision and/or at least one folded edge with an adjoining folded-over section at the joint. These folded sections can in particular be formed by folded or bent sections. These folded sections, ie incisions and/or folded edges of the two ends of the strip, lie one on top of the other at the joint. In addition, the folded or kinked sections of the strap ends lying one above the other rest at least partially on one another and connect the strap ends to one another in a form-fitting and adhesive manner at the joint.

In this case, the at least one folded-over section protrudes from the surface of the belt end or can, for example, also be folded over by 180°. The kinked or folded sections form material tongues, with the superimposed incisions and sections each forming pairs of tongues that are lifted out of the plane of the strap, bent together and/or folded over, whereby the desired stable connection of the two strap ends and thus a closed strapping strap is formed.

The incisions in the band ends can, for example, be straight, angled, triangular, T-shaped, U-shaped, semi-circular, parabola-shaped, rectangular or have other shapes. Optionally, the incisions can also be made in two parallel, closely spaced jagged rows, for example U-shaped with jagged flanks and a straight end part. Due to the fact that the connections of the two strap ends are produced by bending the incision, forming a kinked edge on the part of the material tongues that is not cut, a sufficiently stable fixation of the strap ends of the strapping strap can be produced. This is achieved in that the two belt ends are connected to one another in an adhesive and detachable manner at the joint, forming at least one form-fitting punching that extends through both belt ends.

The connection can be released again by pulling on the upper end of the strap without the strap having to be cut through or processed in any other way. This means that the positive connection created by punching and folding material tongues can be released again without tools. In order to make it easier to detach the joint, a tear-off tab can be provided, for example, which can be formed by a protruding end of the upper end of the strap that protrudes beyond the joint.

The pairs of tongues are bent over their common kink point by an angle of at least 15°, but in particular by an angle of at least 40°, particularly preferably by an angle of at least 60°. The advantage of the two-layer or multi-layer folds of the strapping at the end of the strap described above, with these two-layer or multi-layer strap ends lying one above the other as a joint and being equipped with the punched holes described, consists in a higher tear resistance and durability of the mechanical connection between the two strap ends. The multi-layer connection results in additional connecting straps and material tongues, which each interlock, whereby the load-bearing cross-sectional area is increased overall, since the number of interlocking material tongues or pairs of tongues is also increased.

The strap can, for example, consist of a cellulose material, in particular cardboard material or paper with a basis weight of at least 120 grams per square meter, in particular 150 grams per square meter or more. Optionally, the strap can also consist of a biodegradable fiber material or fiber composite material.

However, if particularly reinforced cellulose materials are used, the basis weight can also be chosen to be lower than the specified 120 grams per square meter.

At the joint there are several similar or different types of punchings with the same or different dimensions. Optionally, the punched holes of the same type or different types, with the same or different dimensions, can be arranged in a regular matrix.

Optionally, the punchings can have kinks which are oriented transversely or at an angle greater than 30° to a direction of longitudinal extent of the strapping, which is formed in two layers or in multiple layers at the joint. In addition, the pairs of tongues of the punched holes also have directions of longitudinal extent in the non-bent or kinked position, which can be oriented transversely or at an angle greater than 30° to a direction of longitudinal extent of the strapping band. Provision can be made for at least one pair of tongues to point in a first direction, e.g. in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strap, while at least one other pair of tongues points in another direction, e.g. in the opposite direction, which is a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strap can be. The tongues at the punched-through portions can preferably each have a length of at least 0.5 mm and a width (length of the buckling point) of at least 0.4 mm. Furthermore, it can be provided that the tongues on the punchings each have a length of at most five millimeters and a width (length of the buckling point) of at most four millimeters.

The strap itself can have a material thickness of at least 0.4 millimeters and preferably a maximum of two millimeters, with the material thickness of the strap ends at the joint correspondingly doubled, tripled or quadrupled by the two-layer or multi-layer fold.

In addition, it can be provided that the strap has a width of at least five millimeters, while its maximum width is only limited by the height of the cylindrical section of the strapped container.

The joint can also be glued in that the overlapping and mutually facing tape ends are coated with adhesive, in particular liquid adhesive. A paint that can be activated with ultrasound and thus hardens and develops its full joining strength can also be used as an adhesive for gluing the joint.

As an alternative or in addition to the punchings, the strap ends of the strap can optionally also be clamped, for example by means of metal clamps, which enables a simple and inexpensive connection technique.

In addition, an additional handle can be anchored to the strapping band, which allows the strapping bundle to be carried. Such a handle can, for example, be anchored at the joints, specifically as an additional layer covering them. Optionally, the handle can be glued and/or included in the punchings. If the handle is glued, a liquid adhesive or a lacquer that can be cured with ultrasound or another suitable adhesive can be used, for example.

During manufacture, the joint with the punched holes is preferably located in the container in an area between adjacent articles, ie in a gap between them. After the joint has been produced, it can be moved to an article so that it rests on its lateral surface and is thus stabilized. In order to achieve the above-mentioned goal, the invention also proposes a method for producing a strapped bundle in which at least two items, which can be formed by liquid containers or the like, for example, are held together by means of at least one strap stretched horizontally around the items or containers . In the method, a defined number of articles or liquid containers are initially put together in a defined spatial arrangement relative to one another, after which the at least two articles or liquid containers are wrapped with at least one strap.

The strapping has two strap ends, with the strapping being formed in two or more layers in the region of at least one of the two strap ends by being folded over once or several times.

The tape ends prepared in this way are placed one on top of the other so that they overlap, forming a joint of a defined length at the overlapping point, at which two overlapping tape ends are connected to one another by making at least one incision and/or at least one folded edge with a adjoining folded or kinked section is introduced, the incisions and/or folded edges of the two tape ends lying one above the other at the joint.

In addition, the method provides that the folded or kinked sections of the strap ends lying one above the other rest at least partially on one another and connect the strap ends to one another in a form-fitting and adhesive manner at the joint.

In the method, the bent or folded sections each form material tongues, with the incisions and sections lying one above the other forming pairs of tongues which are lifted out of a band plane of the strapping band.

The method can optionally provide for the strapping to be formed in two or more layers in the areas of both overlapping strap ends by simple or multiple folding, which can provide a further improvement in the stability of the joint and thus the entire strapping. In addition, it can be useful if the two-layer or multi-layer area of the strap is folded over at least one end of the strap in a direction away from the joint.

In addition, a further improvement in the stability of the strapping can be achieved if the two-layer or multi-layer area of the strapping is glued to at least one end of the strap after it has been folded over.

In addition, the method can preferably provide for the two belt ends to be connected to one another in an adhesive and detachable manner at the joint, forming at least one form-fitting punching that extends through both belt ends.

The at least one punching can have at the joint, for example, two-sided or three-sided or semi-circular or otherwise shaped or curved incisions, so that the pairs of tongues formed in this way of the overlapping belt ends placed one on top of the other are folded over at the joint in each case around a common kink point in the same direction be able.

Optionally, the strap can be opened and separated from the articles or liquid containers by pulling on a tear-off tab, which is formed by a protruding end of the upper end of the strap that protrudes beyond the joint, while undoing the joint and separating the ends of the strap from one another.

The method can provide that the joint is additionally glued in that the overlapping and mutually facing tape ends are coated with adhesive, in particular liquid adhesive. As already mentioned above, a lacquer can be used as an adhesive for the additional bonding of the joint, which can be activated with ultrasound and thus hardens and develops its full joining force.

A further variant of the method provides that a handle or carrying handle with a carrying loop projecting beyond the top of the bundle is anchored to the strapping. If necessary, the carrying handle can also be clamped to the strapping, e.g. using metal clamps. Optionally, such a carrying handle can be included with one of its two carrying handle ends, for example, in the joint of the strapping and fastened there, while the opposite carrying handle end can be fastened to the strapping in different ways.

The loop-like carrying handle end can reach under the strap and be hung there.

A further possibility is the attachment of the end of the carrying handle by a separate joint, which is configured with punched holes in the same way as the joint at which the strap ends of the strap are connected to one another.

However, gluing the carrying handle end to the strapping band is also conceivable.

The carrying handle can be fastened to the strapping band in particular in such a way that the loop of the carrying handle projecting beyond the top side of the strapping bundle runs diagonally across the top side of the bundle. Such a diagonal course of the carrying handle or its loop is advisable, for example, with a frequently used 3x2 container, since in this way the joints of the carrying handle with the strapping can be arranged in areas that are located between adjacent articles or containers. This results in a symmetrical weight distribution when carrying the container. If the carrying handle of such a 3x2 container does not run diagonally, it would not be located in the center above the container, which would be unfavorable when carrying the container, since the container would tilt due to the one-sided weight distribution.

In the case of other pack designs with a different number of articles or containers, other sensible arrangements and forms of the carrying handle can be selected.

In the method, it can be advantageous if the joint is initially positioned in an area between adjacent articles or beverage containers when it is being formed, since the punchings can be made more easily there. The strap can then be shifted in its direction of longitudinal extent, as a result of which the joint is placed against a lateral surface of one of the articles or beverage containers of the strapped bundle, which serves to stabilize the joint. The invention also includes a strapping band, as described above, which has the features of one of the embodiment variants described above, and which can be used in particular in a strapping bundle according to one of the embodiment variants described above. Such a strapping band can be employed and used in particular in a method for producing a strapping bundle, as has been described above in different embodiment variants.

As has already been explained above, the above-described two-layer or multi-layer folding of the strapping band at the band end can provide the advantage of greater tear strength and durability of the mechanical connection between the two band ends. The two-layer or multi-layer tape ends are placed one on top of the other during the manufacturing process in order to be able to form the joint. The actual connection of the belt ends is achieved by introducing the above-described punchings, which encompass and penetrate both belt ends and thus produce a firm connection between the two belt ends that can withstand the mechanical loads that occur.

The multi-layer connection results in an advantageous manner in additional connecting straps and material tongues, which each interlock, whereby the total supporting cross-sectional area is increased compared to a single-layer design of the belt ends, since the number of interlocking material tongues or pairs of tongues is also increased.

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

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show, in a total of three schematic views, different variants of strapped bundles which can be configured or equipped according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2A to 2E show, in a total of five schematic side views, successive method steps for preparing a strap for use in strapping bundles according to FIGS. 1A to 1C. 3A shows, in a schematic perspective view, an embodiment variant of a joint for connecting two strap ends of a strapping strap, which can be designed or used according to the present invention.

FIG. 3B shows a schematic plan view of the embodiment variant of the joint according to FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 4A to 4F show, in a total of six schematic detailed views, different variants of a strap used for the strapping bundle according to the invention.

5A shows a schematic plan view of a strap with a puller handle.

FIG. 5B shows a side view of the strap according to FIG. 5A.

6A shows an embodiment variant of a strapping bundle with a carrying handle.

FIG. 6B shows a schematic plan view of the strapped bundle according to FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C shows an enlarged representation of the strapping band and the carrying handle of the strapping bundle according to FIG. 6A.

Fig. 7A shows a variant of the strapped bundle before attachment of a carrying handle. Fig. 7B shows the strapping bundle according to FIG. 7A after attachment of the

carrying handle.

8A shows a further variant of the strapped bundle before attachment of a carrying handle.

FIG. 8B shows the strapping bundle according to FIG. 8A after attachment of the carrying handle.

FIGS. 9A to 9D show, in a total of four schematic views, different variants of strapping bundles, each with a modified joint of the strapping strip. FIGS. 10A to 10C show further different variants of the strapping used for the strapping bundle in a total of three schematic detailed views.

Wherever possible, the same reference symbols are used for elements of the invention that are the same or have the same effect. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only those reference numbers are shown in the individual figures that are necessary or meaningful for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the strapping bundle according to the invention or the method according to the invention for producing such strapping bundles can be designed, but should not be understood as a conclusive limitation.

Figures 1A, 1B and 1C show various views of different exemplary embodiments of strapping bundles 10 according to the invention, in which several articles 12 are held together by means of a strapping band 14 that runs horizontally around the articles 12 and is at least slightly pre-tensioned, and are thus held together as bundle 10. In the exemplary embodiment described below, the articles 12, which are particularly cylindrical in shape in sections and possibly have constrictions on the lateral surfaces, can be formed in particular as liquid containers or beverage containers 16, in which case the at least one strapping band 14 can optionally be stretched around the lateral surfaces 18 of the beverage containers 16 at a medium height.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1A to 1C, various container variants are suitable for forming such strapped bundles 10. The articles 12 according to FIG.

It is also conceivable to design such a strapped container 10 with PET beverage containers 16, each of which has, for example, a constricted area 22 in its lateral surface 18 with thicker and preferably cylindrical areas of smaller circumference located below and above it, so that the horizontally running strapping band 14 is arranged there can be (see Fig. 1B).

However, such an arrangement of the strapping band 14 in the area of the constricted areas 22 of the PET beverage containers 16 is by no means mandatory, as illustrated in FIG. 1C by way of example. There is the strap 14 in the lower cylindrical portions of the respective lateral surfaces 18 of the beverage container 16, the having a larger outer diameter than the central necked down portion 22 of each container 16.

In this variant of the strapped container 10, another strap 14 could optionally be applied in the upper cylindrical sections of the lateral surfaces 18 of the beverage containers 16, which are located above the middle constricted areas 22 and below the respective neck and head sections 24 of the containers 16.

Such a strapped container 10 can, for example, comprise four or six articles 12, cans 20 or beverage containers 16, which are held together with a horizontally arranged strap 14 or with two or more horizontally arranged straps 14 and preferably positioned at different heights.

The strapped container 10 according to FIG. 1A includes, for example, six similar beverage cans 20, while the strapped container 10 shown in side view according to FIG. 1B and FIG Rectangular arrangement are compiled. Other configurations would also be conceivable, such as a diagonal arrangement of the articles 12 or a “nested” arrangement in a compact spherical packing, with such arrangements being able to be formed with a different number of articles 12, in particular with an odd number of articles.

The at least one strap 14 has at least one joint 26 of a defined length, at which the two overlapping strap ends 28 and 30 placed one on top of the other are connected to one another. In addition, the invention provides that each of the two strip ends 28 and 30 laid flat on top of one another has at least one incision 32 and/or at least one fold edge 34 with an adjoining folded over or kinked tongue-shaped section 36 at the joint 26.

Since the band ends 28 and 30 are intended to adhere to one another at the joint 26 by means of a form-fitting connection, in each case identical and equally dimensioned incisions 32 and folded edges 34 of the two band ends 28 and 30 lie one above the other. By folding or kinking the tongue-shaped sections 36, which thereby remain connected only with their respective folded edges 34 with the band ends 28 and 30, respectively the folded or kinked tongue-shaped sections 36 of the strap ends 28 and 30 lying one on top of the other are at least partially in contact with one another, the strap ends 28 and 30 which are initially only loosely placed on top of one another are connected to one another in a form-fitting and adhesive manner at the joint 26 .

As will be explained in more detail below, the form fit of the two strap ends 28 and 30 placed one on top of the other at the joint 26 is essentially achieved in that the folded over or kinked tongue-shaped sections 36 protrude in a common direction from the surface of the strap ends 28, 30. namely, for optical reasons, normally from the rear side of the lower strap end 28 of the strapping strap 14, which faces the lateral surfaces 18 of the articles 12, containers 16 or cans 20, on which the upper strap end 30, which points outwards and can therefore be seen by the viewer of the strapping bundle 10, is attached to the Joint 26 rests.

The kinked or folded sections 36 form material tongues, which can be contoured very differently according to FIGS are highlighted. Optionally, the incisions 32 may be straight, angled, triangular, T-shaped, U-shaped, semi-circular, parabola-shaped, rectangular, or other shapes. The incisions 32 are normally produced by a punching process, after which the tongue-shaped sections 36 formed by the incisions 32 can be folded over or folded over along the respective folding edges 34 using suitable tools immediately thereafter.

As an alternative or in addition to the punchings, suitable clamping techniques can also be used at the joint 26 of the strapping band 14, for example by clamping the ends of the strapping band 14, in particular by means of metal brackets (not shown here), which enables a simple and cost-effective connecting technique.

The total of five schematic side views of Figures 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E illustrate successive method steps for preparing the strap 14 at its strap ends 28 and 30 to this by means of below to be able to connect to each other in a mechanically resilient manner described in more detail.

The schematic side view of Fig. 2A shows a first strap end 28 of a strapping strap 14, which is prepared for the punched connections that are subsequently carried out, in that a defined section 38 of the strap end 28 according to Fig. 2B is folded over at a fold edge 40 in the direction of arrow 42 and, according to Fig. 2C is placed on the strap 14.

In the phase of preparation of the strap end 28 for the subsequent joining process shown in Fig. 2C, the folded strap section 38 is folded over by approximately 180° after it has been folded around the fold edge 40 in the direction of the arrow 42 and is located on the adjacent area of the strapping strap 14.

The strap end 28 prepared in this way, in which the folded strap section 38 together with the rest of the strapping strap 14 adjoining the fold edge 40 forms a two-layer strap end 28, can then be joined to the other strap end 30 of the same strapping strap 14 in the manner described, forming a joint 26 ( cf. Fig. 1) are connected.

2D shows the lower strap end 28 designed in two layers, which can optionally be connected to the upper strap end 30 of the strapping strip 14 designed in a single layer.

As shown in FIG. 2E, however, the upper belt end 30 can be formed in two layers in the same way as the lower belt end 28, so that both belt ends 28 and 30 can be connected to one another to form a four-layer joint 26.

Variants of the joint 26 according to the invention that are not shown here can also provide that, for example, two-layer or three-layer belt ends 28 are combined with three-layer or four-layer belt ends 30. Other combinations with band sections 38 each folded over by 180° and placed one on top of the other several times are also possible.

The schematic and perspective view of Fig. 3A and the schematic top view of Fig. 3B illustrate an embodiment variant of a joint 26, as is produced by means of a punching process with the formation of, for example, a total of thirty-six punched incisions 32 here, which connect both belt ends 28 and 30 of the strapping band 14 can pass through in the same way and in this way can ensure a mechanically resilient connection of the joint 26 .

The punched-through incisions 32 can be made in particular by means of suitable punching knives (not shown here) and can be made in the strapping band 14 made of cardboard or similar band material, preferably by a single punching process, which involves the two band ends 28 and 30 successively penetrates at the joint 26 before the tongue-like sections 36 formed by this punching operation, which in the exemplary embodiment shown here lie four times one above the other, can be folded over around the respective folding edges 34 .

The incisions 32 of the variant of the stamped strapping band 14 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B each have rectangular contours with two straight narrow sides, the first narrow side forming the non-punched fold edge 34, which is also parallel to a straight narrow side. The parallel longitudinal sides of the tongue-shaped sections 36 formed in this way each have jagged contours 44, which promotes the hooking of the jagged sections 46 arranged one above the other during or after folding over the folded edge 34.

Similar jagged contours are also shown in Figures 4B and 4C.

In the variant shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, there are several such incisions 32 close together, with the fold edges 34 each being aligned parallel to a direction of longitudinal extent of the strapping band 14. The tongue-shaped sections 36, 44 and 46 to be folded over thus each point towards an edge of the strapping band 14, but do not touch it, but leave a gap (cf. FIG. 3B). Alternatively, the tongue-shaped sections 36, 44 or 46 to be folded over can be arranged slightly offset from one another and thus with a certain irregularity, as can be seen, for example, in FIG. 4B.

In the variant of the joint 26 shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the two strap ends 28 and 30 are adhesively connected to one another at the joint 26, forming a plurality of form-fitting punchings that reach through the two strap ends 28 and 30 lying on top of one another, with this connection being made possible at all times by corresponding Force and / or by peeling the tape ends 28, 30 can be solved from each other. For example, if necessary, the upper end of the belt 30 can be pulled off the lower end of the belt 28, but preferably in a pulling direction away from the longitudinal direction of the strip, since otherwise the detaching force would naturally be very high.

A particularly suitable material for the strapping band 14 can be a cellulosic material of sufficient thickness and thus sufficient strength, with cardboard material or paper with a basis weight of at least 120 grams per square meter, in particular 150 grams per square meter or greater being suitable for the intended application . As a rule, the strap will have a material thickness of at least 0.4 mm and normally no more than about two millimeters.

In order for such a strapping band 14 made of paper or cardboard to withstand the loads occurring in practice, it should be sufficiently wide and, for example, have a width of at least twenty millimeters or more, which is significantly wider than previously known strapping bands made of plastic. In principle, the width can also be significantly more than twenty millimeters, since in practice it is only limited by the height of the respective cylindrical sections of the lateral surfaces 18 of the articles 12 held together in the strapping bundle 10 .

Optionally, however, the strapping band 14 can also consist of a biodegradable fiber material or of a suitable fiber composite material. Such a strapping band 14 made of a fiber material or fiber composite material can also have a significantly smaller width of, for example, seven millimeters or more due to its greater strength than cardboard material.

The schematic detailed views of Figures 4A to 4F illustrate different design variants and edge contours of the incisions 32 mentioned, which can be produced in particular by punching knives (not shown here) and introduced into the strapping band 14 made of cardboard or similar band material, preferably by a single punching process , which successively penetrates the two tape ends 28 and 30 of the joint 26 placed one on top of the other before the tongue-like sections 36 formed by this punching process can be folded over in pairs about the respective folding edges 34 .

The incisions 32 of the variant of the punched strapping 14 shown in Fig. 4A, which comprises at least two layers folded over one another at the end of the strap according to Fig. 2, each have parabolic contours, with the broader base of the individual parabola contours the folding edge 34 of each tongue-shaped Section 36 forms, which is not punched, since the parabola-shaped sections 48 formed in this way according to FIG. 4A are folded over around these folding edges 34. The parabolic sections 48 have a contour that tapers towards the free end, as a result of which the sections 48 can be easily detached from the surface of the strapping band 14 and folded over along the punched incisions 32 .

The incisions 32 of the variant of the stamped strapping band 14 shown in FIG. 4B each have rectangular contours with two straight narrow sides, the first narrow side forming the non-punched fold edge 34, which is also parallel to a straight narrow side. The parallel longitudinal sides of the tongue-shaped sections 36 formed in this way each have jagged contours 44, which promotes the hooking of the jagged sections 46 arranged one above the other during or after folding over the folded edge 34.

In the variants according to FIGS. 4A and 4B , there are several such incisions 32 close together, with the folding edges 34 each running parallel to a direction of longitudinal extension of the strapping band 14 and close to its central axis 50 . The tongue-shaped sections 36, 46 and 48 to be folded over thus each point towards the edges of the strapping band 14, but do not touch them, but rather leave a gap. Optionally, the tongue-shaped sections 36, 46 or 48 to be folded over can be arranged slightly offset from one another and thus with a certain irregularity, as can be seen, for example, in FIG. 4B.

The incisions 32 of the variant of the stamped strapping band 14 shown in FIG. 2C each have rectangular contours with two straight narrow sides, the first narrow side forming the non-punched fold edge 34, which is also parallel to a straight narrow side. The parallel longitudinal sides of the tongue-shaped sections 36 formed in this way in turn each have jagged contours 44, which promotes the hooking of the jagged sections 46 arranged one above the other during or after folding over the fold edge 34.

However, adjacent jagged sections 46 are each rotated by 90° relative to one another, so that individual jagged sections 46 can lie with their longitudinal sides 44 transverse to the central axis 50 of the strapping band 14, while adjacent jagged sections 46 which have been rotated by 90° have their long sides 44 parallel to the Central axis 50 of the strap 14 can be arranged. While the serrated sections 46 of the variant shown in FIG. 4B each have a length that is less than half the width of the strap 14, the serrated sections 46 of the variant shown in FIG. 4C are larger, so that these sections 46 each have a length may have, which is slightly more than half the width of the strap 14.

However, there can also be significantly more incisions 32 at the joining point, as was previously illustrated by way of example with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

The incisions 32 of the variant of the stamped strapping band 14 shown in FIG. 4D in turn each have rectangular contours with two straight narrow sides, the first narrow side forming the non-punched fold edge 34, which is also parallel to a straight narrow side. The parallel longitudinal sides of the tongue-shaped sections 36 formed in this way in turn each have jagged contours 44, which promotes the hooking of the jagged sections 46 arranged one above the other during or after folding over the fold edge 34.

The jagged sections 46 shown here lie with their longitudinal sides 44 parallel to the central axis 50 of the strapping band 14.

The size of the serrated sections 46 of the variant shown in FIG. 4D corresponds approximately to the size of the sections 46 according to FIG. Since the jagged sections 46 lie with their longitudinal sides parallel to the central axis 50 of the strapping band 14 and since their width is less than half the width of the strapping band 14, two such sections 46 can be arranged next to one another, as is shown by way of example in FIG. 4D.

The incisions 32 of the variant of the stamped strapping band 14 shown in FIG. 4E again each have rectangular contours with two straight narrow sides, the first narrow side forming the non-punched fold edge 34, which is also parallel to a straight narrow side. However, the parallel longitudinal sides of the tongue-shaped sections 36 formed in this way each have straight contours here, so that regular rectangular contours of the incisions 32 are formed in each case. The straight incisions shown here 32 lie with their long sides transverse to the central axis 50 of the strap 14, wherein the folding edges 34 of adjacent sections 36 alternately point to the two edges of the strap 14.

The incisions 32 of the variant of the stamped strapping band 14 shown in FIG. 4F have T-shaped contours with a lower narrow side which forms the non-punched fold edge 34, which is parallel opposite a T-shaped long side running transversely thereto. The T-contours 52 formed in this way promote the interlocking of the serrated sections 36 arranged one on top of the other during or after folding over the folding edge 34. The T-contours 52 shown here lie with their upper longitudinal sides parallel to the central axis 50 of the strapping band 14 and point with their upper longitudinal sides towards both of its edges.

The size of the T-shaped sections 52 of the variant shown in Fig. 4F corresponds approximately to the size of the sections 46 according to Fig. 4B, so that these sections 52 can each have a length that is slightly less than half the width of the strapping band 14 amounts to. Since the sections 52 lie with their folding edges 34 parallel to the central axis 50 of the strapping band 14 and since their length is less than half the width of the strapping band 14, two rows of such T-shaped sections 51 can be arranged next to one another, as is shown in Fig. 4F is shown by way of example.

All of these shape variants of the incisions 32 shown in FIGS. 4A to 4F and the tongue-shaped or T-shaped sections 36 formed as a result can also be combined with one another or rearranged in any desired manner. The dimensions shown for the incisions 32 and sections 36 can also be varied.

In all the variants shown in FIGS. 4A to 4F, the two strap ends 28 and 30 are adhesively connected to one another at the joint 26, forming a plurality of form-fitting punchings that reach through the two strap ends 28 and 30 lying on top of one another, with this connection being made possible at all times by the corresponding exertion of force and/or or by peeling the tape ends 28, 30 apart.

In addition, it should be emphasized that at least one belt end 28 or 30 is designed in two layers (cf. FIG. 2D). Optionally, both belt ends 28 and 30 can also have at least two layers (cf. FIG. 2E) or else multiple layers. If necessary, for example, the upper end of the strap 30 can be pulled off the lower end of the strap 28, but preferably in a pulling direction away from the longitudinal direction of the strap, since the detaching force would otherwise naturally be very high.

In order to be able to detach the strap ends 28 and 30 from one another in the desired manner without tools, the upper strap end 30 can be designed with a pull-off handle 54 extending beyond the joint 26, as is shown by way of example in the top view of FIG. 5A. The side view of Fig. 5B illustrates the pulling direction 56, in which the puller handle 54, which protrudes beyond the joint 26 at the upper strap end 30 and is to be gripped by hand, can be pulled, preferably approximately perpendicular to the surface of the strapping strap 14, in order to remove the Tape ends 28 and 30 can be detached from each other again. The tongue-shaped sections 36 which previously engaged in one another in a form-fitting manner are thereby separated from one another.

An additional carrying handle 58 with a loop 60 projecting beyond the upper side of the strapping bundle 10 can be anchored on the strapping band 14 . According to FIGS. 6A and 6C, the carrying handle 52 can be included with a carrying handle end 62, for example, in the joint 26 and fastened there, while the opposite carrying handle end, which cannot be seen in FIG. 6A, can be fastened to the strapping band 14 in different ways.

For example, the loop-like carrying handle end can reach under the strap 14 and be hung there. A further possibility is the attachment of the carrying handle end, not shown here, by a separate joint which is configured with punched holes in the same way as the joint 26 shown in FIG. 6A, at which the strap ends 28 and 30 of the strapping strap 14 are connected to one another. However, it is also conceivable for the end of the carrying handle, not shown here, to be glued to the strapping band 14, for which purpose a liquid adhesive or possibly also a lacquer that can be cured by means of ultrasound can be used for this purpose.

The carrying handle 58 can be fastened to the strapping band 14 in particular in such a way that the loop 60 of the carrying handle 58 that projects beyond the top of the strapping bundle 10 runs diagonally across the top of the bundle 10, as indicated in the schematic side view of FIG. 6A and in the schematic Top view of Fig. 6B is clearly visible. Such a diagonal course of the carrying handle 58 or its loop 60 is appropriate for the 3x2 container 10 shown because in this way the joints 26 of the carrying handle 58 with the strapping band 14 can be arranged in areas that are between adjacent articles 12 or containers 16 are located, resulting in a symmetrical weight distribution when carried. If the carrying handle 58 were not to run diagonally, it would not be located centrally above the container 10, which would be unfavorable when carrying the container 10, since the container 10 would tilt due to the one-sided weight distribution.

According to FIGS. 7A and 7B , the carrying handle 52 with its carrying handle ends 62 can be included in the joint 26 and attached there in such a way that the punchings are covered by the carrying handle end 62 attached there by means of adhesive spots 64 .

FIG. 7A shows the strapping band 14 that combines the beverage containers 16 into a strapping container 10 and that is fastened by means of a joint 26 .

Fig. 7B shows the strapping container 10 provided with the carrying handle 58. There, the carrying handle end 62 is applied over the joint 26, namely by means of a splice 64, while the opposite carrying handle end, which cannot be seen in Fig. 7B, is attached in the same way by means of such a splice 64 can be attached to the strap 14.

Even if this cannot be seen in FIG. 7B, the carrying handle 58 can optionally run diagonally across the upper side of the strapping bundle 10, as is shown in FIG. 6B.

According to Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B, the carrying handle 58 with its carrying handle ends 62 can be incorporated into the joint 26 and fastened there in such a way that not only are the punched holes covered by the carrying handle end 62 fastened there by means of adhesive spots 64, but that the adhesive spot 64 also extends to a lateral surface 18 of the beverage container 16 located below the carrying handle 62 .

FIG. 8A shows the strapping band 14 that combines the beverage containers 16 into a strapping container 10 and is fastened by means of a joint 26 . 8B shows the strapping bundle 10 provided with the carrying handle 58. There the carrying handle end 62 is applied over the joint 26, specifically by means of a splice 64, with a section of the strapping 14 protruding downwards Carrying handle end 62 is glued to the lateral surface 18 of the beverage container 16 located there. The opposite end of the carrying handle, which cannot be seen in FIG. 8B, can be fastened in the same way to the strapping band 14 and to a lateral surface 18 of the beverage container 16 located there by means of such an adhesive point 64.

The attachment of the carrying handle 58 by means of an adhesive point 64 including the lateral surfaces 18 of the beverage containers 16 provides a more stable anchoring of the carrying handle 58 on the container 10, so that the carrying handle 58 can withstand higher loads.

Since in this variant of the carrying handle anchorage for a 3x2 container it is useful or necessary for the carrying handle 58 to run between the opposite outer sides of the adjacent articles 12 or containers 16 in the middle of the container 10, the carrying handle 58 does not run diagonally but transversely to a perpendicular central plane which runs parallel to the longitudinal sides of the container 10 . With this anchoring variant, this course of the carrying handle 58 provides a symmetrical weight distribution when carrying the strapping bundle 10.

The carrying handle 58 shown in FIGS. 6A to 8B can be made of the same material and have the same material width and thickness as the strapping band 14. Depending on the determined requirement for the stability of the carrying handle 58, however, this can also be slightly weaker or possibly stronger be dimensioned as the strap 14 to which it is anchored.

FIGS. 9A to 9D show different possibilities for covering the joint 26 formed with the punched holes on the strap 14 of the strapping bundle 10. Thus, FIG. 9A shows the strapping band 14 that combines the beverage containers 16 to form a strapping container 10 and that is fastened by means of a joint 26 . 9B shows a label 66 glued over the joint 26, which label can optionally be made in the same color and/or the same material as the strapping band 14.

The schematic side view of FIG. 9C shows a written label 68, while the view of FIG. 9D shows a label 70 provided with a barcode.

In addition, numerous other variants of such label designs are conceivable, such as those with pictorial symbols, with a QR code and/or with numerous other design variants. The variants mentioned and shown can also be combined with one another as required. The common feature of these labels should at least be that they cover the joint 26 in the desired manner, so that the desired favorable visual impression is created.

The schematic views of Figures 10A, 10B and 10C show further embodiment variants of incisions 32 with different contours of the thereby formed sections 36 to be folded over. While the variant according to FIG. 10A is very similar to the variant shown in FIG FIGS. 10B and 10C each show arrow-shaped incisions 32, which each form arrow-shaped sections 72 after folding. The folding edge 34 is located at the non-arrowed end 74 of each of these arrow-shaped sections 72, while the opposite end of the sections 72 contoured in this way has a relatively wide arrow section 76, which can be formed by a triangle, for example according to FIG. 10B.

In the variant according to FIG. 10C, however, the arrow section 76 is rounded off at the tip and instead runs longer at the two symmetrically shaped side flanks. Both variants according to FIGS. 10B and 10C can achieve an improvement in the form-fitting connections of the two belt ends 28 and 30 that can be achieved if the arrow-shaped sections 72 are folded over in pairs around the folded edges 34 lying one above the other in the manner already shown.

The following is given as a supplementary note to the above statements. Although in connection with the embodiment variants of the strapping bundle 10 shown in the figures and the strapping 14 used for this purpose and their above descriptions, "schematic" representations and views are often or generally referred to, this in no way means that the representations in the figures and their Description should be of secondary importance in terms of disclosure of the invention. The person skilled in the art is quite capable of extracting enough information from the diagrammatically and abstractly drawn illustrations to make it easier for him to understand the invention, without having to draw from the drawn and possibly not exactly true-to-scale proportions of parts of the devices, their details or other drawn elements would be affected in any way in his understanding. Rather, the figures make it possible for the person skilled in the art as a reader, on the basis of the more concretely explained realizations of the invention Method and the structure of the strapping bundle 10 according to the invention explained in more detail, a better understanding of the inventive concept formulated in the claims and in the general part of the description, at least with regard to some aspects, can be derived more generally and/or more abstractly. The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that modifications or variations can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims. Reference List

10 bundles, strapping bundles 12 items

14 strap

16 containers, liquid containers, beverage containers

18 lateral surface

20 can, beverage can

22 constricted area

24 neck section, head section

26 joint

28 end of strap, lower end of strap, end of strap lying below 30 end of strap, end of strap upper, end of strap lying at top 32 incision 34 fold edge, crease

36 section, tongue, folded section, folded section, kinked section 38 folded band section 40 crease edge 42 folding direction 44 jagged longitudinal side 46 jagged section 48 parabolic section 50 central axis, longitudinal central axis 52 T-contour, T-shaped contour Pull-off handle Direction of pull Carrying handle, handle Loop, carrying strap Carrying gripping adhesive point Label Labeled label Label provided with barcode Arrow-shaped section Non-arrowed end Arrow section

Claims

Expectations

1. Strapping bundle (10), in which at least two articles (12) are held together by means of at least one strapping band (14) stretched horizontally around the articles (12),

- which at least one strap (14) has at least one joint (26) of a defined length, at which two overlapping strap ends (28, 30) are connected to one another,

- wherein the strap (14) is formed in at least two layers in the region of at least one of the two overlapping strap ends (28, 30) by at least simple folding,

- wherein each of the two strap ends (28, 30) has at least one incision (32) and/or at least one folded edge (34) with an adjoining folded-over section (36) at the joint (26), the incisions (32) and/or folded edges (34) of the two strap ends (28, 30) lie on top of one another at the joint (26),

- And wherein the folded sections (36) of the belt ends (28, 30) lying one on top of the other rest at least partially on one another and connect the belt ends (28, 30) to one another in a form-fitting and adhesive manner at the joint (26).

2. Strapping bundle according to claim 1, in which the strapping strip (14) is formed in two layers or more layers in the regions of both overlapping strip ends (28, 30) by simple or multiple folding.

3. Strapping bundle according to claim 1 or 2, in which the two-layer or multi-layer region of the strap (14) is folded over at least one strap end (28, 30) in a direction away from the joint (26).

4. Strapping bundle according to one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the two-layer or multi-layer region of the strapping band (14) is glued to at least one band end (28, 30).

5. Strapping bundle according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the folded sections (36) in the strap ends (28, 30) are each formed by bent or folded sections (36), which each form material tongues.

6. Strapping bundle according to Claim 5, in which the folded over or the bent or folded sections (36) each form material tongues, with the superimposed incisions (32) and sections (36) each forming pairs of tongues which come from a band plane of the strapping band (14 ) are highlighted.

7. Strapping bundle according to one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the two strap ends (28, 30) are adhesively and detachably connected to one another at the joint (26), forming at least one form-fitting punching that extends through both strap ends (28, 30).

8. Strapping bundle according to claim 7, in which the at least one punching at the joint (26) has two-sided or three-sided or semi-circular or otherwise shaped or curved incisions (32), the pairs of tongues formed in this way of the overlapping strap ends (28, 30) at the joint (26) are each folded over a common kink (34) in the same direction.

9. A method for producing a strapping bundle (10), in which at least two articles (12) are held together by means of at least one strapping band (14) stretched horizontally around the articles (12), the method providing for at least the following steps:

- Compiling a defined number of articles (12) in a defined spatial arrangement relative to one another,

- Wrapping around the at least two articles (12) with at least one strap (14) which has two strap ends (28, 30), the strap (14) being folded over at least once in the region of at least one of the two strap ends (28, 30). is formed in two layers,

- overlapping superimposition of the two belt ends (28, 30), whereby a joint (26) of defined length is formed at the overlapping point, at which two overlapping belt ends (28, 30) are connected to one another,

- by making at least one incision (32) and/or at least one folded edge (34) with an adjoining folded-over section (36) in each of the two strap ends (28, 30) at the joint (26), the incisions ( 32) and/or folded edges (34) of the two strap ends (28, 30) lie on top of one another at the joint (26),

- and wherein the folded portions (36) of the tape ends lying one on top of the other (28, 30) rest at least partially on one another and connect the belt ends (28, 30) to one another in a form-fitting and adhesive manner at the joint (26).

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, in which the strapping band (14) is formed in two layers or multiple layers in the regions of both overlapping band ends (28, 30) in each case by simple or multiple folding.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9 or 10, in which the two-layer or multi-layer region of the strapping band (14) is folded over at least one band end (28, 30) in a direction away from the joint (26).

12. The method as claimed in one of claims 9 to 11, in which the two-layer or multi-layer region of the strapping band (14) is glued to at least one band end (28, 30) after it has been folded over.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, in which the folded sections (36) are each formed by bent or folded material tongues, the superimposed incisions (32) and sections (36) each forming pairs of tongues which come from a band plane of the Strapping (14) are lifted out.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, in which the two belt ends (28, 30) are adhesively and detachably connected to one another at the joint (26) to form at least one form-fitting punching that extends through both belt ends (28, 30).

15. The method according to claim 14, in which the at least one punching at the joint (26) has two-sided or three-sided or semi-circular or otherwise shaped or curved incisions (32), the pairs of tongues formed in this way of the overlapping strip ends (28, 30) at the joint (26) are each folded over a common kink (34) in the same direction.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the strap (14) by pulling on a tear-off tab (48) which is formed by a protruding end of the overhead strap end (30) which protrudes beyond the joint (26). , by dissolving the joint (26) and separating the tape ends (28, 30) from one another and can be separated from the articles (12) or liquid containers (16).

17. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 16, in which the joint (26) is additionally glued by the overlapping and mutually facing tape ends (28, 30) are coated with adhesive, in particular liquid adhesive.

18. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 17, wherein the joint (26) in its formation in a region between adjacent articles (12) or

beverage container (16) is positioned, after which the strapping band (14) is displaced in the direction of its longitudinal extent, as a result of which the joint (26) is placed against a lateral surface (18) of one of the articles (12) or beverage containers (16) of the strapped container (10).

19. Strapping band (14) having the features of one of claims 1 to 8, in particular for use in a strapping bundle (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

20. strap (14) having the features of any one of claims 1 to 8, which is used in a method for producing a strapping bundle (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 18.