WO2023285014A1

WO2023285014A1 - Packaging unit, apparatus for producing a packaging unit, and method for producing a packaging unit

Info

Publication number: WO2023285014A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/062582
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcus KREIS; Herbert Spindler
Original assignee: Krones Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2021-07-12
Filing date: 2022-05-10
Publication date: 2023-01-19
Also published as: EP4370438A1; CN117320972A; DE102021117903A1

Abstract

A packaging unit (10), an apparatus (1) and a method for producing packaging units (10) are disclosed. Each packaging unit (10) comprises a plurality of articles (11), at least two articles (11) being combined using a first packaging means (15) to form a sub-unit (22), and at least two sub-units (22) being combined using a second packaging means (18) to form the packaging unit (10). It is optionally also possible for a sub-unit (22) and at least one further article (11) to be combined using a second packaging means (18) to form the packaging unit (10). The first and second packaging means (15, 18) are each formed by packaging blanks (16, 19) having through-openings (17, 20) for the articles (11) that are to be combined by means of the first packaging blank (16) or the second packaging blank (19). The through-openings (17, 20) of the respective packaging blanks (16, 19) correspond to longitudinal central axes of the articles (11) that are to be combined. The packaging blank (16, 19) is applied in this case to the articles (11) such that the articles (11) partially protrude through the through-openings (17, 20) of the respective packaging blanks (16, 19) and are held against one another by means of the respective packaging blanks (16, 19).

Description

Packaging unit, device for producing a packaging unit and method for producing a

Packaging Unit

The present invention relates to a packaging unit, a device for producing such a packaging unit and a method for producing a packaging unit.

There are different types of packaging for the processing, assembly, grouping and packaging of articles such as beverage containers, for example the combination of articles or containers into portable, relatively handy packaging units or packaging units. Various possibilities are known for this, for combining individual articles into larger containers. For example, beverage containers are usually combined and packaged using shrink films to form bundles of four, six or more containers. The production of containers is usually unavoidable, as they represent the most common variant of sales units or packaging units for beverage containers or bottles made of PET plastic. Some of the containers are combined again for transport and/or put together in layers and palletized.

In the production of known types of containers, specific production steps are required in order to be able to process the shrink films that are usually used. These production steps require a relatively large amount of energy. In addition, the film used incurs costs for production, provision, handling and subsequent disposal, since it is no longer required after sale. Finally, the provision of the so-called shrink tunnel, in which the film wrapped around the container is shrunk around the container by means of the application of hot air, also requires a relatively high use of energy and capital.

A variant in which the use of shrink film can generally be dispensed with is the so-called strapped bundle. Here, the containers are combined into a bundle and connected to one another by means of so-called straps. In continuously or intermittently working strapping machines, containers, articles or bottles are grouped into formations and then strapped with one or more straps using strapping units. Typical formations can be, for example, 1x2 arrangements (two containers in a row), 2x2 arrangements (four containers in a square or in a diamond formation), 3x2, 4x3 or, in principle, also variable nxm arrangements.

Furthermore, the use of so-called upper grip carton packaging is known, for example to combine several bottles via their neck areas. A packaging machine for placing such upper grip carton packaging is described in patent specification EP 1075419 B1. In this case, the articles are arranged in a box and the grip box packaging is placed from above onto the at least one article arranged in the box. In particular, a plurality of articles are arranged in the crate and by placing a smaller number of upper grip carton packages, subgroups are formed which each group together a part of the articles arranged in the crate.

The object of the invention consists in facilitating the production of packaging units in which a plurality of articles are combined by means of an upper gripping cardboard packaging.

The above object is achieved by a packaging unit, a device for producing a packaging unit and a method for producing a packaging unit, which comprise the features in the independent patent claims. Further advantageous configurations are described by the dependent claims.

A packaging unit according to the invention comprises a plurality of articles, with at least two articles being combined with a first packaging means to form a sub-unit and with at least two sub-units being combined with a second packaging means to form a packaging unit, or with at least one sub-unit and at least one further article being combined with a second packaging means Packing unit are combined.

The first packaging means and the second packaging means are each formed by a packaging blank. In particular, the packaging blanks are essentially flat, with a particular small thickness of the packaging blank compared to its length and width.

The packaging blanks each have passage openings for the articles combined via the respective first or second packaging blank, which passage openings correspond to the longitudinal center axes of the articles to be combined.

The packaging blanks are each attached to the articles in such a way that the articles partially pass through the passage openings of the respective packaging blank and are thus held together by the respective packaging blank.

The passage openings of the packaging blanks can each have suitable fixing devices, which can be formed by fixing tabs, for example. For example, fixing tabs are formed by incisions or the like that extend radially from the passage openings.

To produce a packaging unit as described above, a plurality of articles are divided into a first article group in a first method step. A first packaging blank is applied to at least some of the articles in the first group of articles, forming a partial unit. Subsequently, to form the packaging unit, at least a second packaging blank is applied to at least some of the items of the partial unit equipped with the first packaging means and to at least one other item.

The further article can be an article which is also part of the first group of articles, but which is not covered by the first packaging means in connection with the formation of the partial unit. Alternatively, the further article can be an additional article which was added to the partial unit in a second classification step.

In particular, the method can be carried out in a device comprising the following modules: the compilation of the first article group takes place in a first dividing module. In a first application module, a first packaging blank is attached to items in the first item group. A second packaging blank is attached in a second application module on at least one article of the first group of articles to which the first packaging blank has been applied and on at least one further article.

The first application module and the second application module are designed to apply the respective packaging blank to the articles from above in such a way that the articles partially pass through the passage openings of the respective packaging blank and are held together by the respective packaging blank.

The articles to be combined to form packaging units are preferably containers filled with a fluid content, for example bottles or cans, in particular beverage containers. However, the bottles or cans or similar containers can also be filled, for example, with fluid cosmetics such as shampoo or the like.

The respective packaging blank is slipped onto the article from above, so that the articles at least partially pass through the passage openings and, after the respective packaging blank has been attached, are partially above and partially below the packaging blank. If the articles are bottles or cans, then the closure area is preferably arranged above the packaging blanks, while the body filled with a fluid is arranged below the packaging blanks.

After the packaging blanks have been arranged and attached to the articles, they are preferably engaged with the articles in such a way that the packaging blanks are essentially fixed in place on the articles and the articles can no longer make any significant relative movements or changes in position relative to one another or in relation to the packaging blanks. This means that they can only be removed from the articles again with increased expenditure of force with a force component directed downwards or upwards, with the packaging blanks generally being at least partially destroyed.

The concept of applying the respective packaging blank in the direction from above also includes embodiments in which the group of articles is inserted into the packaging blank by moving the articles upwards and in the direction of the respective packaging blank. The first application device and the second application device are designed in particular to attach the respective packaging blank to articles in such a way that the articles are held clamped in the area of an upper taper within a passage opening of the respective packaging blank. In particular, bottles are clamped below a so-called neck ring and cans below a beaded edge forming the edge of the can.

The packaging blanks can each preferably consist of a paper or cardboard material, a plastic material, a cardboard-plastic composite material or the like. According to one embodiment it is provided that the packaging blanks essentially consist of the same material. Alternatively, it can be provided that the packaging blanks consist of different materials. The terminology of a different material also includes embodiments in which the material is formed from the same material but has a different material thickness.

According to a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the second packaging means in particular has a top side provided with information, in particular the top side of the second packaging means is printed with information about the articles, is equipped with a barcode and/or is equipped with an RFID chip .

If the second packaging means only partially covers the at least one first packaging means, it can be provided that at least the visible areas of the first packaging means are also provided with information. One embodiment can provide that the visible areas of the at least one first packaging means and the upper side of the second packaging means are printed in such a way that a coherent overall picture is created.

According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the at least one sub-unit is equipped with at least one strap, which strap is stretched around the outer lateral surfaces of the articles of the sub-unit.

As an alternative or in addition, the packaging unit can also be equipped with at least one strap, which is stretched around the outwardly facing outer lateral surfaces of the articles in the packaging unit. A strapping band used for this purpose preferably consists of a paper material or a suitable cardboard material. Alternatively, the strapping band may be formed of a plastic material, a composite material, or a thin metal material.

A first embodiment can provide that some of the items of the first item group are combined with the first packaging means to form a sub-unit and that at least one item of the sub-unit and at least one other item of the item group are combined with the second packaging means to form a packaging unit.

In particular, it can be provided that a partial unit comprising a number of n articles is formed within the article group, with the article group comprising a multiple of n articles. Particularly preferably, several sub-units are formed corresponding to the multiple. The second packaging means is designed and attached to the sub-units in such a way that it is attached to at least one of the articles of each sub-unit and thus holds the sub-units together. The second packaging blank particularly preferably has passage openings for all articles in the article group and is applied to the partial units of the article group in such a way that the second packaging blank essentially covers all the first packaging blanks.

To produce packaging units according to the first embodiment, the first application module is designed to attach at least one first packaging blank to some of the articles in the first group of articles, forming a partial unit. Furthermore, the second application module is designed to attach the second packaging blank to articles of the first group of articles, which articles are formed by at least one article of a partial unit and at least one further article of the first group of articles.

A second embodiment can provide that within a first group of articles, several partial units are formed by applying several first packaging blanks to a part of the articles in the first group of articles and that the second packaging blank acts on at least one article of the multiple partial units and thus the multiple partial units as a packaging unit summarizes. For example, an arrangement of six bottles is formed as the first group of articles, in which the bottles are arranged in two parallel rows of three. The respective adjacent bottles of the two rows of three are combined by a first packaging blank with two corresponding passage openings to form a first partial unit. A second packaging blank with six passage openings is then applied to the three sub-units and the packaging unit is thus formed.

A third embodiment can provide that the articles of the first group of articles are combined with the first packaging means to form a sub-unit, that at least two sub-units are combined to form a second group of articles and that the at least two sub-units are combined with a second packaging means to form a packaging unit.

A fourth embodiment can provide that the articles of the first group of articles are combined with the first packaging means to form a partial unit and that at least one partial unit and at least one other article are combined to form a second article group and are combined with the second packaging means to form a packaging unit.

A device suitable for this includes in particular a first application module which is designed to attach the first packaging blank to the article of the first article group.

A second dividing module is also provided in order to compile a second group of articles. The second article group comprises at least two first sub-units or at least one sub-unit and at least one further article.

The second application module is designed to attach the second packaging blank to items in the second item group in order to form the packaging unit. The second packaging blank is attached to at least one item of the at least two sub-units or to at least one item of the at least one sub-unit and the at least one other item of the second item group.

It can optionally be provided that the device comprises at least one strapping module. For example, the device a first Strapping module include, which first strapping module is designed to summarize the articles of the first article group by at least one strap, wherein the strap is placed and fixed under tension around the outer lateral surfaces of the articles of the first article group.

Alternatively or additionally, the device can comprise a second strapping module, which second strapping module is designed to combine the articles of the second group of articles by at least one strapping band, which strapping band is placed and fixed under tension around the outer lateral surfaces of the articles of the second group of articles.

Provision can be made here for the articles of an article group forming a subunit to be combined with a strap before or after or at the same time as the attachment of the first packaging means to form the subunit.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the articles forming a packaging unit are combined with a strapping band before or after or at the same time as the attachment of the second packaging means to form the packaging unit.

Provision can furthermore be made for at least the second packaging blank to have carrying means which make it easier for the consumer to handle the packaging units. For example, both the first packaging means and the second packaging means have access holes, with at least one access hole of a first packaging means and an access hole of a second packaging means being arranged one above the other so that a carrying opening is formed through which the user can insert at least one finger and thus the packaging unit can capture for wearing.

According to a preferred embodiment, several packaging blanks are applied in at least two application modules arranged one after the other and, if necessary, one or more strapping processes are carried out in order to produce packaging units in which several partial units and/or articles are combined to form a larger packaging unit. The stability of the packaging units produced can be increased by using two different packaging blanks. An advantage of the multi-stage method described here is that the first packaging blank used and the second packaging blank can each be made from a thinner material than conventionally known upper grip carton packaging, with the stability of the packaging unit not suffering as a result.

When using packaging blanks made of a thinner material, the application forces for applying and attaching the packaging blanks to the articles can be reduced. This makes it possible to use articles that have a thinner wall thickness without damaging them when the packaging blanks are applied by the force component directed downwards.

It should be expressly mentioned at this point that all aspects and design variants that have been explained in connection with the device according to the invention equally relate to or can be partial aspects of the method according to the invention. Therefore, if certain aspects and/or connections and/or effects are mentioned at one point in the description or also in the definition of claims for the device according to the invention, this applies equally to the method according to the invention. The same applies in reverse, so that all aspects and design variants that have been explained in connection with the method according to the invention equally relate to or can be partial aspects of the device according to the invention. Therefore, if certain aspects and/or connections and/or effects are mentioned at one point in the description or also in the claim definitions for the method according to the invention, this applies equally to the device according to the invention.

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.

1 shows a first embodiment of a device according to the invention and a method according to the invention for producing packaging units. 2 shows a second embodiment of a device according to the invention and a method according to the invention for producing packaging units.

3 shows a third embodiment of a device according to the invention and a method according to the invention for producing packaging units.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a device according to the invention and a method according to the invention for producing packaging units.

5 shows a further form or variant of a packaging unit according to the invention.

Identical 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 reference symbols are shown in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments only represent examples of how the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention can be designed and do not represent any final limitation.

The schematic top view of Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention and at the same time illustrates an embodiment variant of a method according to the invention for the production of packaging units 10.

Articles 11 are fed to a first divider module 3 via a feeding transport device 2 (far left).

The articles 11 conveyed by means of the infeed transport device 2 can in principle be a wide variety of piece goods that can be combined to form packaging units. However, the articles 11 schematically shown here can preferably be containers filled with a fluid content, in particular beverage containers, for example bottles 12 or cans. However, the bottles 12 or cans or similar containers can also be filled, for example, with fluid cosmetics such as shampoo or the like, with other pasty contents or with granular contents.

In the first immediately following the feeding transport device 2 in the transport direction TR (to the right of the transport device 2 in FIG. 1). First article groups 13 are formed from the articles 11, which include in particular the number of articles 11, as they are summarized below in the packaging unit 10 to be created. In the present exemplary embodiment, six articles 11 are arranged in two parallel rows of three.

While the articles 11 are conveyed within the infeed transport device 2 in several immediately adjacent rows without any gaps in between, the first article groups 13 are separated from one another within the downstream divider module 3, so that the article groups 13 of six combined articles 11 are each spaced apart from one another are. Within the divider module 3, the article groups 13 are spaced apart from one another in the transport direction TR and also transversely to the transport direction TR.

First packaging means 15 are applied to the articles 11 of the article group 13 in a first application module 4 downstream of the first dividing module 3 in the transport direction TR of the articles 11 .

The first packaging means 15 are formed in particular by first packaging blanks 16, which are essentially flat and have two passage openings 17 for two articles 11 each. In particular, the passage openings 17 of the first packaging blank 16 correspond to the longitudinal center axes of the two articles 11 on which the first packaging blank 16 is subsequently arranged.

According to a preferred embodiment, which is not shown here, the passage openings 17 of the first packaging blank 16 can have suitable fixing devices, which can be formed by fixing tabs, for example. For example, fixing tabs are formed by incisions or the like that extend radially from the passage openings 17 .

In particular, three first packaging blanks 16 are arranged on the six articles 11 arranged in two rows of three in such a way that the respective adjacent articles 11 of the two rows of three are combined by a first packaging blank 16 . In particular, three sub-units 22 are thus formed, with each sub-unit 22 comprising two articles 11 combined via a first packaging blank 16 . In particular, the first packaging blank 16 can be placed from above onto two adjacent articles 11 of the article group 13, with the articles 11 at least partially passing through the passage openings 17, so that after the first packaging blanks 13 have been attached to the articles 11 partially above and partially below the first packaging blanks 16 are located. If the articles 11 are bottles 12 or cans, the closure area is preferably arranged above the first packaging blanks 16 , while the body of the articles 11 filled with a fluid is arranged below the first packaging blanks 16 .

After the first packaging blank 16 has been arranged and fastened to the articles 11, it is preferably engaged with the articles 11 in such a way that the first packaging blank 16 is essentially fixed in place on the articles 11 and the articles 11 do not make any significant relative movements or changes in position relative to one another or opposite one another can do more with the first packaging blank 16.

Thus, the first packaging blank 16 can only be removed from the articles 11 of the respective partial unit 22 again with increased expenditure of force with a force component directed downwards or upwards, with the first packaging blank 16 usually being at least partially destroyed.

The first packaging blanks 16 are provided, for example, in a magazine 5 assigned to the first application module 4 and removed via suitable removal devices, for example a vacuum suction device or the like. The packaging blanks 16 are arranged centered above the articles 11 in such a way that the longitudinal axes of the articles 11 are aligned with the centers of the passage openings 17 .

Subsequently, in a second application module 7 arranged downstream of the first application module 4 in the transport direction TR, a second packaging means 18 embodied as a second packaging blank 19 is arranged on the three partial units 22 of the first article group 13 in order to form a packaging unit 10 . The second packaging blank 19 is provided in particular in a magazine 8 assigned to the second application module 7 . The second packaging blank 19 has six passage openings 20 which are designed and arranged to correspond to the longitudinal center axes of the six articles 11 of the article group 13 . The second packaging blank 19 and the first packaging blank 16 described above can each preferably consist of a paper or cardboard material, a plastic material, a cardboard-plastic composite material or the like. According to one embodiment it is provided that the first packaging means 15 and the second packaging means 18 essentially consist of the same material. Alternatively it can be provided that the first packaging means 15 and the second packaging means 18 consist of different materials. The terminology of a different material also includes embodiments in which the material is formed from the same material but has a different material thickness.

The first application module 4 and the second application module 7 are designed, in particular, to attach or apply the respective packaging blank 16, 19 to the articles 11, coming from above, in such a way that the articles 11 partially pass through the passage openings 17, 20 of the respective packaging blank 16, 19 pass through and are held together by the respective packaging blank 16, 19.

The concept of applying the first packaging means 16 or the second packaging means 19 in the direction from above also includes embodiments in which the insertion of the article group 13 into the first packaging means 16 or the second packaging means 19 by means of an upward and in the direction of the respective packaging means 16, 19 directed movement of the respective article group 13 takes place.

The first application module 4 and the second application module 7 are designed in particular to attach the first packaging means 15 or the second packaging means 18 to articles 11 of article group 13 in such a way that the articles 11 are clamped in the area of an upper taper within a passage opening 17 or 20 of the respective packaging means 15 or 18 are held. In particular, bottles 12 are clamped below a so-called neck ring and cans below a beaded edge forming the edge of the can.

Optionally, a strapping module 9 can subsequently be provided, which stretches a strap around the outwardly facing outer lateral surfaces of the articles 11 of the packaging unit 10 and thus additionally holds them together. The strapping band 31 preferably consists of a paper material or a suitable cardboard material. However, the strapping band 31 can also be formed from a plastic material, a composite material or a thin metal material.

The packaging units 10 can subsequently be fed to further handling modules 30, for example a tray module or tray forming or processing module, in which several packaging units 10 are arranged on a tray and thus combined to form larger sales units. The multiple packaging units 10 arranged on a tray can then be wrapped, for example, with a shrink film and arranged on a pallet for storage and/or transport to the customer.

The schematic top view of FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention and a method according to the invention for producing packaging units 10. With regard to the reference symbols already used in connection with FIG. 1, reference is made to the above description.

In the embodiment shown here, article groups 13 in the form of so-called four-part arrangements of two times two articles 11 are formed in the first divider module 3 from the articles 11 fed via the feeding transport device 2 . These article groups 13 can be combined into a strapped article group 13u in an optionally present first strapping module 9-1 by a first strap 31-1 stretched around the outwardly directed outer lateral surfaces of the articles 11 of the article group 13.

A first packaging blank 16 is applied to the strapped article groups 13u in a first application module 4, which first packaging blank 16 provides four passage openings 17 for the four articles 11 of the strapped article group 13u. The sub-units 22 thus formed are fed to a second dividing module 6 in which two sub-units 22 are combined as a second article group 14 .

In a second application module 7, the eight articles 11 of the second article group 14 are additionally combined into a packaging unit 10 via a second packaging blank 19. The second packaging blank 19 has in particular eight correspondingly arranged passage openings 20 for the eight items 11 of the second item group 11.

Furthermore, a second strapping module 9-2 can optionally be provided, in which a second strap 31-2 is stretched around the outwardly facing outer lateral surfaces of the eight articles 11 of the packaging unit 10 in order to additionally stabilize the packaging unit 10.

Optionally, the arrangement of the first strapping module 9-1 and the first application module 4 and/or the arrangement of the second strapping module 9-2 and the second application module 7 can also be reversed. For example, the first group of articles 13 can first be combined into a part unit 22 via a first packaging blank 16 and then strapped before the second groups of articles 14 are formed.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a number n of articles 11 of the packaging unit 10 is combined via the first packaging means 15 to form a partial unit 22, with the packaging unit 10 comprising a multiple of n articles 11 and thus a multiple of partial units 22.

According to FIG. 1, each partial unit 22 comprises two articles 11 and three partial units 22 are combined via the second packaging means 18 to form a packaging unit 10 comprising six articles 11 .

According to FIG. 1, each partial unit 22 comprises four articles 11 and two partial units 22 are combined via the second packaging means 18 to form a packaging unit 10 comprising eight articles 11 .

The schematic top view of Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention and a method according to the invention for the production of packaging units 10. In this case, two articles 11 are assembled into a first article group 13 in the first dividing module 3 and in the first application module 4 by means of a first packaging blank 16 combined into a sub-unit 22. A further article 11 is then assigned to the partial unit 22 in a second dividing module 6 and a second article group 14 is thus formed. The second group of articles 14 thus includes three articles 11 , two of the articles 11 already being combined with a first packaging blank 16 . A second packaging blank 19 is applied to this second article group 14 to form the packaging unit 10 in a second application module 7 following in the transport direction TR, which is preferably triangular in design corresponding to the arrangement of the articles 11 in the article group 14 .

The schematic top view of FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention and a method according to the invention for producing packaging units 10 .

The first application module 4 is designed to fasten a first packaging blank 16 to a part of the articles 11 of the first article group 13, in particular to two articles 11 of the first article group 13, forming a partial unit 22. For this purpose, the first packaging blank 16 has two passage openings 17 for two correspondingly arranged article 11.

Furthermore, the second application module 7 arranged downstream in the transport direction TR is designed to fasten the second packaging blank 19 to articles 11 of the first article group 13, which articles 11 are replaced by at least one article 11 of the first partial unit 22 and at least one further article 11 of the first article group 13 are formed. In particular, the second packaging blank 19 according to the exemplary embodiment shown has three average openings 20 for the three items 11 of the first item group 13 or for the items 11 of the first partial unit 22 and the further item 11 of the first item group 13 .

The schematic top view of FIG. 5 shows a further form of a packaging unit 10. In this case, six articles 11 are arranged in two rows of three. The three articles 11 of each row of three are each combined into a partial unit 22 via a first packaging blank 16 . Furthermore, the central articles 11m of the two partial units 22 are connected to one another by a second packaging blank 19 applied above the first packaging blanks 16, as a result of which the packaging units 10 are formed.

Furthermore, in all of the embodiments described here, provision can be made for the second packaging means 18 in particular to have an upper side equipped with information, in particular the upper side of the second packaging means 18 is printed with information about the articles 11, is equipped with a barcode and/or is equipped with an RFID chip.

If the second packaging means 18 only partially covers the at least one first packaging means 15, as is shown for example in the embodiment according to FIG. 5, it can be provided that at least the visible areas of the first packaging means 15 are also provided with information. One embodiment can provide that the visible areas of the at least one first packaging means 15 and the upper side of the second packaging means 18 are printed in such a way that an overall picture is created.

By using two different packaging blanks 16 and 19, the stability of the packaging units 10 produced can be increased. An advantage of the multi-stage method described here is that the first packaging blank 16 and the second packaging blank 19 used can each be made from a thinner material than conventionally known upper grip carton packaging, the stability of the packaging unit 10 not suffering as a result.

When using packaging blanks 16, 19 made of a relatively thin material, the application forces for applying and attaching the packaging blanks 16, 19 to the articles 11 can be reduced. This makes it possible to use articles 11 that have a thinner wall thickness without damaging them when the packaging blanks 16, 19 are applied by the force component directed downwards.

The embodiments, examples and variants of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description and figures, including their different views or respective individual features, can be used independently of one another or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless the features are incompatible.

Although in the context of the previous description of the figures “schematic” representations and views are generally spoken of, this in no way means that the representations of the figures and their description are to be of secondary importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. The professional 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 lose sight of the drawn and possibly not exactly true-to-scale proportions of the articles 11, the packaging blanks 16, 19 and/or or parts of the device 1 or other drawn elements in any

way would be impaired in his understanding. The figures thus enable the person skilled in the art as a reader to derive a better understanding of the inventive concept formulated more generally and/or more abstractly in the claims and in the general part of the description on the basis of the more specifically explained implementations of the method according to the invention and the more specifically explained mode of operation of the device according to the invention.

Reference List

1 device

2 feeding transport device

3 first divider module

4 first application module

5 magazine for the first packaging blanks

6 second divider module

7 second application module

8 magazine for second packaging blanks

9 strapping module

9-1 first strapping module

9-2 second strapping module

10 packs of 11 items

11m medium article

12 bottle

13 first article group 13u strapped article group

14 second group of articles

15 first packaging means

16 first packaging blank

17 passage openings

18 second packaging means

19 second packaging blank

20 passage openings 22 part unit

30 handling module

31 strap 31-1 first strap 31-2 second strap TR transport direction

Claims

Expectations

1. Packaging unit (10) comprising a plurality of articles (11), wherein at least two articles (11) are combined with a first packaging means (15) to form a sub-unit (22) and wherein at least two sub-units (22) are combined with a second packaging means ( 18) are combined to form the packaging unit (10), or at least one sub-unit (22) and at least one further article (11) are combined with a second packaging means (18) to form the packaging unit (10), the first packaging means (15) and the second packaging means (18) are each formed by a packaging blank (16, 19), which packaging blank (16, 19) has passage openings (17, 20) for the articles ( 11), wherein the passage openings (17, 20) of the respective packaging blank (16, 19) are aligned with the longitudinal center axes of the articles (11) to be combined corresponding, and wherein the respective packaging blank (16, 19) is attached to the articles (11) in such a way that the articles (11) partially pass through the passage openings (17, 20) of the respective packaging blank (16, 19) and over the respective packaging blank (16, 19) are held together.

2. Packaging unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sub-unit (22) is equipped with at least one strap (31), which strap (31) is stretched around the outer lateral surfaces of the articles (11) of the sub-unit (22).

3. Packaging unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the packaging unit (10) is further equipped with at least one strap (31), which strap (31) around the outwardly facing outer lateral surfaces of the articles (11) of the packaging unit (10) is excited.

4. Packaging unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second packaging means (18) has an upper side provided with information, in particular wherein the upper side of the second packaging means (18) is printed, is equipped with a barcode and/or is equipped with an RFID chip.

5. Packaging unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first packaging means (15) and the second packaging means (18) consist essentially of the same material or wherein the first packaging means (15) and the second packaging means (18) each consist of different materials materials exist.

6. Device (1) for producing a packaging unit (10) comprising a plurality of articles (11), the device (1) comprising at least one first dividing module (3) for putting together a first group of articles (13), at least one first application module (4 ) for attaching a first packaging blank (16) to articles (11) of the first article group (13) and at least one second application module (7) for attaching a second packaging blank (19) to at least one article (11 ) the first group of articles (13) and at least one further article (11), which first packaging blank (16) and which second packaging blank (19) each have passage openings (17, 20) for the first or second packaging blank (16, 19) combined Article (11), wherein the passage openings (17, 20) of the respective packaging blank (16, 19) are aligned with the longitudinal center axes of the articles (11) correspond, which first application module (4) and which second application module (7) are designed to apply the respective packaging blank (16, 19) to the articles (11) from above in such a way that the articles (11) partially pass through the passage openings (17 , 20) of the respective packaging blank (16, 19) pass through and are held together by the respective packaging blank (16, 19).

7. The device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the first application module (4) is designed to apply at least one first packaging blank (16) to form a first partial unit (22) on part of the articles (11) of the first article group (13). to attach, and wherein the second application module (7) is designed to the second to fasten the packaging blank (19) to articles (11) of the first group of articles (13), which articles (11) are formed by at least one article (11) of the partial unit (22) and at least one further article (11) of the first group of articles (13). will.

8. Device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the first application module (4) is adapted to attach the first packaging blank (16) to the article (11) of the first article group (13), the device (1) having a second Divider module (6) comprises, which second divider module (6) is designed to at least a second

To put together an article group (14), which second article group (14) comprises at least two sub-units (22) or which second article group (14) comprises at least one sub-unit (22) and at least one further article (11), and wherein the second application module (7) is designed to attach the second packaging blank (19) to articles (11) of the second group of articles (14), which articles (11) are formed by at least one article (11) of the at least two partial units (22) of the second group of articles (14). or which articles (11) are formed by at least one article (11) of the at least one partial unit (22) and the at least one further article (11) of the second article group (14).

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the device (1) comprises at least one strapping module (9), which strapping module (9-1) is designed to the articles (11) of the first article group (13) by at least one strap (31), which strap (31) is placed and fixed under tension around the outer lateral surfaces of the articles (11) of the first article group (13).

10. Device (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the device (1) comprises at least one strapping module (9-2), which strapping module (9-2) is adapted to the article (11) of the second article group by at least one To summarize the strapping (31), which strapping (31) is laid and fixed under tension around the outer lateral surfaces of the articles (11) of the second article group (14).

11. A method for producing a packaging unit (10) comprising a plurality of articles (11), the method comprising the following steps:

• dividing a plurality of articles (11) into a first article group (13),

• applying at least one first packaging means (15) designed as a packaging blank (16) to at least some of the items (11) of the first item group (13) and

• applying at least one second packaging means (18) designed as a packaging blank (19) to at least part of the articles (11) equipped with the first packaging means (15) and to at least one further article (11),

• wherein the first packaging blank (16) and the second packaging blank (19) each comprise passage openings (17, 20) for the articles (11) to be combined in each case,

• wherein the passage openings (17, 20) of the respective packaging blank (16, 19) correspond to the longitudinal center axes of the articles (11) and

• the respective packaging blank being attached to the articles (11) in such a way that the articles (11) partially pass through the passage openings (17, 20) of the respective packaging blank (16, 19) and are held together by the respective packaging blank (16, 19). .

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein some of the articles (11) of the first article group (13) are combined with the first packaging means (15) to form a partial unit (22) and wherein at least one article (11) of the partial unit (22) and at least one further article (11) of the group of articles can be combined with the second packaging means (18) to form the packaging unit (10), in particular with the partial unit (22) comprising a number of n articles (11) and with the group of articles being a multiple of n articles (11) includes.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the articles (11) of the first article group (13) are combined with the first packaging means (15) to form a partial unit (22) and wherein at least two partial units (22) are combined with a second packaging means (18). Packaging unit (10) are combined, or with at least one sub-unit (22) and at least one other article (11). a second packaging means (18) are combined to form the packaging unit (10).

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the one sub-unit (22) forming articles (11) of a first article group (13) before or after or in temporal connection with the attachment of the first packaging means (15).

Formation of the sub-unit (22) are combined with a strap (31).

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the one packaging unit (10) forming articles (11) before or after or in temporal connection with the attachment of the second packaging means (18) for forming the

Packing unit (10) are combined with a strap (31).