CN117320972A - Packaging unit, device for manufacturing packaging unit and method of manufacturing packaging unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging unit (10), a device (1) for manufacturing a packaging unit (10) and a method. Each packaging unit (10) includes a plurality of items (11), at least two of which are combined into one sub-unit (22) using a first packaging member (15), and at least two of which are A second packaging component (18) is combined into said packaging unit (10). Optionally, the sub-unit (22) and at least one other item (11) can also be combined into said packaging unit (10) using a second packaging member (18). The first and second packaging members (15, 18) are respectively formed from a packaging blank (16, 19) having a structure adapted to be formed from the first packaging blank (16) or the second packaging blank (16, 19). The packaging blank (19) incorporates the through holes (17, 20) of the article (11). The through holes (17, 20) of the respective packaging blanks (16, 19) correspond to the longitudinal central axis of the combined article (11). The respective packaging blank (16, 19) is mounted on the article (11) in such a way that the article (11) partially passes through the respective packaging blank (16, 19) Through holes (17, 20), thereby being held together by the respective packaging blanks (16, 19).

Description

Packaging units, devices for manufacturing packaging units and means for manufacturing packaging units method

Technical field

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

Background technique

There are different packaging types for processing, combining, grouping and packaging items such as beverage containers, for example, combining items or containers into relatively lightweight portable strapping units or packaging units. To this end, different solutions are known for combining individual items into larger bundles. For example, beverage containers are often consolidated by means of heat shrink film and packaged into bundles of four, six or more containers. The manufacture of bales is often unavoidable, as bales are the most common variant of sales units or packaging units for beverage containers or bottles made of PET plastic. For transport, the bales are sometimes combined again and/or layered and stacked onto pallets.

When manufacturing known types of bales, special manufacturing steps are required for processing the heat shrink films commonly used. These manufacturing steps require relatively high energy consumption. In addition, the films used incur costs for manufacturing, supplying, handling and subsequent disposal, since once sold they are no longer needed. Finally, relatively large energy or capital investments are also required to provide so-called heat shrink tunnels, in which the film wrapped around the bale is shrunk around the container by the application of hot air.

A variant that can in principle be used without the use of heat shrinkable film is the so-called strapping bale. The containers are combined and connected to form a bale by means of so-called strapping straps. In a strapping machine that operates continuously or cyclically, containers, items or bottles are grouped and subsequently tied together with one or more straps with the help of a strapping unit. Typical combinations can be, for example, a 1×2 layout (two containers in a row), a 2×2 layout (four containers arranged in a square or diamond shape), a 3×2 layout, a 4×3 layout or in principle also a variable n×m layout.

Furthermore, it is also known to use so-called top-grip carton packs in order, for example, to combine several bottles together via their neck regions. A packaging machine for placing such top-grip carton packs is described, for example, in patent specification EP 1075419 B1. In which the items are arranged in the box, the gripping carton package is placed from above on at least one item arranged in the box. In particular, a number of items are arranged in the box, groupings are formed by placing a small number of upper gripping carton packages, which groupings each combine together a portion of the items arranged in the box.

Contents of the invention

The object of the invention is to simplify the production of packaging units in which several items are packaged together in one upper gripping carton.

The solution of the invention to achieve the above objects is a packaging unit, a device for producing a packaging unit and a method for producing a packaging unit, comprising the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments can be found in the subclaims.

The packaging unit of the present invention includes a plurality of items, wherein at least two items are combined into one sub-unit using a first packaging member, and wherein at least two sub-units are combined into the packaging unit using a second packaging member, or wherein at least one sub-unit is combined into the packaging unit using a second packaging member. The unit and at least one other item are combined into said packaging unit using a second packaging member.

The first packaging member and the second packaging member are each formed from a packaging blank. In particular, the packaging blank is generally planar, which means in particular that its thickness is small relative to its length and width.

The packaging blanks respectively have through-holes for the articles merged by the corresponding first or second packaging blank, these through-holes corresponding to the longitudinal central axis of the merged articles.

The packaging blanks are respectively mounted on the articles in such a manner that the articles partially pass through the through holes of the respective packaging blanks and are thereby held together by the respective packaging blanks.

The through-openings of the packaging blank can each have suitable fastening means, which can be formed, for example, by fastening tongues. The fixed tongue piece is formed, for example, by a cutout extending in the radial direction from the through hole.

To produce the packaging unit described above, in a first method step a plurality of articles is divided into a first article group. A first packaging blank is applied to form subunits on at least a portion of the items of the first group of items. Subsequently, to form the packaging unit, at least one second packaging blank is applied to at least a part of the items of the subunit equipped with the first packaging member and to at least one other item.

The other item may be an item which is also part of the first group of items but which was not captured by the first packaging member when forming the sub-unit. As an alternative, the other items may refer to additional items added to the sub-units in the second partitioning step.

The method may in particular be implemented in an apparatus comprising a module in which the combination of the first group of items is carried out in a first partitioning module. In a first application module, a first packaging blank is fastened to the items of the first group of items. In the second application module, the second packaging blank is fastened to at least one article of the first group of articles to which the first packaging blank is applied and to at least one other article.

The first application module and the second application module are adapted to apply the respective packaging blank onto the article from above in such a way that the article partially passes through the through-hole of the respective packaging blank and thereby passes through the respective packaging blank Keep it together.

The articles combined into packaging units are preferably containers containing fluid contents, such as bottles or cans, in particular beverage containers. However, bottles or jars or similar containers may also contain liquid cosmetics, such as shampoos, etc., for example.

The corresponding packaging blank covers the object from above, so that the object at least partially passes through the through hole and after fastening the corresponding packaging blank is partially above the packaging blank and partially below the packaging blank. If the article refers to a bottle or a jar, in this case the closing area is preferably arranged above the packaging blank and the fluid-containing body is arranged below the packaging blank.

After the packaging blanks have been arranged and fastened to the articles, they are preferably engaged with the articles in such a way that the packaging blanks are generally fixedly fixed to the articles and the articles are connected to each other and to the packaging blanks. No obvious relative movement or positional changes can occur between them. Therefore, these packaging blanks can only be removed from the article by increasing the force with a downward or upward force component, wherein the packaging blank is usually at least partially damaged.

The term applying the respective packaging blank from above also encompasses the embodiment in which the group of articles is inserted into the packaging blank by moving the articles upward and in the direction of the respective packaging blank.

The first application device and the second application device are particularly suitable for fastening the respective packaging blank to the article in such a way that the article is held in a clamped manner on the respective packaging blank in the region of the upper taper. into the through hole of the component. Specifically, the bottle is held in a clamping manner under a so-called neck ring, and the can is held in a clamping manner under a flange that forms the rim of the can.

The packaging blank may preferably consist of paper or cardboard material, plastic material, cardboard-plastic composite material or the like. According to one embodiment, the packaging blanks consist essentially of the same material. Alternatively, the packaging blanks are composed of different materials. The term different materials also includes embodiments in which the materials, although formed from the same production material, have different material thicknesses.

According to a preferred embodiment, in particular the second packaging member may have an upper side equipped with information, wherein in particular the upper side of the second packaging member is printed with item information, equipped with a barcode and/or equipped with Equipped with RFID chip.

If the second packaging component only partially covers the at least one first packaging component, at least the visible area of the first packaging component is also provided with information. According to one embodiment, the visible area of the at least one first packaging member and the upper side of the second packaging member may be printed in such a way that a coordinated overall image is produced.

According to one embodiment, the at least one subunit can be equipped with at least one strapping strap which is tightened around the outer side of the item of the subunit.

As an alternative or in addition, the packaging unit can also be equipped with at least one strap which is tightened around an outwardly facing outer side of the contents of the packaging unit.

Preferably, the strapping used consists of paper material or suitable cardboard material. But strapping can also be formed from plastic materials, composite materials or thin metal materials.

According to a first embodiment, a first packaging member is used to combine a part of the items of the first group of items into a sub-unit, and a second packaging member is used to combine at least one item of the sub-unit and at least one other item of the group of items into a package. unit.

In particular, a subunit can be formed within an item group, which contains a number n of items, wherein the item group includes a multiple of n items. Particularly preferably, a plurality of subunits corresponding to the multiple are formed. The second packaging member is constructed and applied to the subunits in such a manner that each subunit is fastened to at least one of the articles, thereby holding the subunits together. Particularly preferably, the second packaging blank has through-holes for all items of the group of items and is applied to the sub-units of the group of items in such a way that the second packaging blank substantially covers all the first packaging blanks.

For producing the packaging unit, according to a first embodiment, the first application module is adapted to apply at least one first packaging blank in the form of a sub-unit on a portion of the items of the first group of items. Furthermore, the second application module is adapted to fasten the second packaging blank to items of the first group of items, the items being formed from at least one item of the subunit and at least one further item of the first group of items.

According to a second embodiment, a plurality of sub-units can be formed within a first group of articles by applying a plurality of first packaging blanks respectively to a portion of the articles of the first group of articles, and the second packaging blanks respectively grasp the plurality of sub-units of at least one item, thereby merging multiple sub-units into a packaging unit.

For example, a layout of six bottles forms a first item group, in which the bottles are arranged in two rows and three rows. Adjacent bottles in the two three rows are merged into a first sub-unit by a first packaging blank with two corresponding through holes. Subsequently, a second packaging blank with six through-holes is applied to the three sub-units, thus forming the packaging unit.

According to a third embodiment, the articles of the first group of articles are combined into one sub-unit using a first packaging member, at least two sub-units are combined into a second group of articles, and the at least two sub-units are combined into a package using a second packaging member unit.

According to a fourth embodiment, the items of the first group of items are combined into one sub-unit using a first packaging member, and at least one sub-unit is combined with at least one other item into a second group of items, and the items are combined into a second group of items using a second packaging member. packaging unit.

Suitable devices include in particular a first application module adapted to fasten the first packaging blank to the items of the first group of items.

In addition, a second dividing module is provided to assemble the second item group. The second item group includes at least two first sub-units or at least one sub-unit and at least one other item.

The second application module is adapted to fasten the second packaging blank to the items of the second group of items to form a packaging unit. In this case, the second packaging blank is respectively fastened to at least one item of at least two sub-units, or to at least one item of at least one sub-unit and to at least one other item of the second group of items.

Optionally, the device may comprise at least one strapping module. The device may, for example, comprise a first strapping module adapted to consolidate the items of the first group of items together by means of at least one strapping strap, wherein the strapping strap is placed under tension around the items of the first group of items. placed and secured on the outside.

As an alternative or in addition, the device may comprise a second strapping module adapted to consolidate the items of the second group of items together by means of at least one strapping strap which is wound under tension around the second group of items. The outer sides of items in an item group are placed and secured.

Wherein the items of the group of items forming the sub-unit are brought together with the strapping tape before or after or during application of the first packaging member to form the sub-unit.

Alternatively or additionally, the items forming the packaging unit are brought together with strapping before or after or during application of the second packaging member to form the packaging unit.

Furthermore, at least the second packaging blank may have support members making it easier for the user to handle the packaging unit. For example, both the first packaging member and the second packaging member have latching holes, wherein at least one latching hole of the first packaging member and at least one latching hole of the second packaging member are stacked one above the other to form a support hole, and the user can place at least A finger is inserted through the support hole to grasp the packaging unit for handling.

According to a preferred embodiment, a plurality of packaging blanks are applied in at least two application modules arranged one after the other and optionally one or more strapping processes are carried out to produce a packaging unit, wherein a plurality of subunits and/or articles are combined into A larger packaging unit.

The use of two different packaging blanks increases the stability of the finished packaging unit. The advantage of the multi-stage method described here is that the first and second packaging blanks used, each formed from a thinner material, can be implemented as a conventionally known top grip carton packaging, in which the packaging unit The stability will not be affected by this.

When using a packaging blank formed from a thinner material, the force required to apply and install the packaging blank to the item may be reduced. This enables the use of thinner walled items without damaging them when a downward force component is applied to the packaging blank.

It should be expressly stated at this point that all aspects and implementation variants explained in conjunction with the device of the invention also relate or may be part of aspects of the method of the invention. Therefore, if at any point in the description or in the claim definitions of the inventive device certain aspects and/or interrelationships and/or effects are mentioned, the same applies to the inventive method. The same principle applies conversely, so that all aspects and implementation variants explained in conjunction with the method according to the invention also relate or may be part of aspects of the device according to the invention. Therefore, if certain aspects and/or interrelationships and/or effects are mentioned at any point in the description of the method according to the invention or also in the claim definitions of the method according to the invention, this also applies to the method according to the invention. device of the invention.

Description of drawings

In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. The dimensional proportions of the individual elements relative to each other in the drawings do not always correspond to the actual dimensional proportions, since some shapes are shown simplified and other shapes are shown exaggerated compared to other elements for better illustration.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the device and method of the invention for manufacturing a packaging unit.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the device and method of the invention for manufacturing a packaging unit.

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the device and method of the invention for manufacturing a packaging unit.

Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the device and method of the invention for manufacturing a packaging unit.

Figure 5 shows another form or implementation variant of the packaging unit of the invention.

Detailed ways

The same reference numerals are used for elements of the present invention that are the same or have the same effect. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference numerals necessary for the description of the respective figure are depicted in the individual figures. The depicted embodiments represent only examples of how the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention may be implemented and do not represent conclusive limitations.

The schematic top view of FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 1 for manufacturing a packaging unit 10 according to the invention and at the same time an embodiment variant of the method for manufacturing a packaging unit according to the invention.

The items 11 are transported to the first sorting module 3 via the incoming transport device 2 (far left).

The items 11 transported by the incoming transport device 2 can in principle be various individual items which can be combined into packaging units. However, the object 11 shown schematically here can preferably be a container with a fluid content, in particular a beverage container, such as a bottle 12 or a jar. However, bottles 12 or jars or similar containers may also contain, for example, liquid cosmetics (such as shampoo, etc.), other pasty contents or granular fillers.

In the first dividing module 3 of the incoming transport device 2 in the transport direction TR (starting from the right side of the transport device 2 in FIG. 1 ), a first object group 13 is formed from the objects 11 , which in particular includes The number of articles 11 subsequently combined in the packaging unit 10 to be produced. In this embodiment, six items 11 are arranged in two rows and three rows.

The items 11 are conveyed in the incoming transport device 2 in consecutive rows without intermediate intervals, while in the downstream dividing module 3 they are spaced apart from each other to separate out the first group 13 of items, so that every six items are merged together Groups 13 of items 11 are respectively spaced apart from each other. The object groups 13 are spaced apart from each other in the dividing module 3 in each case along the transport direction TR and also transversely to the transport direction TR.

The first packaging member 15 is applied to the articles 11 of the group 13 in a first application module 4 arranged downstream of the first dividing module 3 in the transport direction TR of the articles 11 .

The first packaging component 15 is formed in particular from first packaging blanks 16 which are generally planar and have two through-holes 17 for each of the two articles 11 . In particular, the through-hole 17 of the first packaging blank 16 corresponds to the longitudinal center axis 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 through-opening 17 of the first packaging blank 16 has suitable fastening means, which can be formed, for example, by fastening tongues. The fixing tongue is formed, for example, by a cutout extending in the radial direction from the through hole 17 .

In particular, three first packaging blanks 16 are arranged on six items 11 arranged in two rows and three rows in such a way that these two three rows of adjacent items 11 are merged with the first packaging blank 16 together. Thus, in particular three sub-units 22 are formed, each sub-unit 22 respectively comprising two articles 11 joined together with a first packaging blank 16 .

In particular, the first packaging blank 16 can be covered from above on two adjacent items 11 of the item group 13 , with the items 11 at least partially passing through the through-holes 17 , so that the first packaging blank 13 is fastened. After being placed on the items 11 , the corresponding items 11 are partially above the first packaging blank 16 and partially below the first packaging blank 16 . If the article 11 is a bottle 12 or a jar, in this case the closed area is preferably arranged above the first packaging blank 16 and the body of the fluid-containing article 11 is arranged below the first packaging blank 16 .

After the first packaging blanks 16 have been arranged and fastened to the article 11 , they are preferably engaged with the article 11 in such a way that the first packaging blank 16 is secured to the article 11 in a substantially stationary manner and the article 11 11 can no longer undergo significant relative movements or positional changes with respect to each other and between the items and the first packaging blank 16 .

Therefore, the first packaging blank 16 can only be removed from the articles 11 of the corresponding subunit 22 with an increased force having a downward or upward force component, wherein the first packaging blank 16 is usually at least partially damage.

For example, the first packaging blank 16 is provided in the magazine 5 corresponding to the first application module 4 and is removed by a suitable removal device (such as a vacuum suction device, etc.). The packaging blank 16 is arranged centrally above the article 11 in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the article 11 is aligned with the center point of the through-hole 17 .

Subsequently, in the second application module 7 arranged downstream of the first application module 4 in the transport direction TR, the second packaging component 18 constructed as a second packaging blank 19 is arranged in the three sub-units 22 of the first article group 13 to form the packaging unit 10 . In particular, the second packaging blank 19 is provided in the magazine 8 associated with the second application module 7 . The second packaging blank 19 has six through-holes 20 which are constructed and arranged corresponding to the longitudinal center axes of the six articles 11 of the group 13 .

The second packaging blank 19 as well as the above-mentioned first packaging blank 16 may preferably be composed of paper or cardboard material, plastic material, cardboard-plastic composite material or the like. According to one embodiment, the first packaging member 15 and the second packaging member 18 are constructed substantially from the same material. Alternatively, the first packaging member 15 and the second packaging member 18 may be constructed of different materials. The term different materials also includes embodiments in which the materials, although formed from the same production material, have different material thicknesses.

The first application module 4 and the second application module 7 are particularly suitable for mounting or applying the respective packaging blank 16 , 19 from above on the article 11 in such a way that the article 11 partially passes through the respective packaging blank. 16, 19 through holes 17, 20, thereby being held together by the corresponding packaging blanks 16, 19.

The term application of the first packaging member 16 or the second packaging member 19 from above also encompasses the embodiment in which the group of articles 13 is inserted into the first packaging member 16 or by moving the group of articles 13 upward and in the direction of the respective packaging member 16, 19. Second packaging member 19.

The first application module 4 and the second application module 7 are particularly suitable for fastening the first packaging component 15 or the second packaging component 18 respectively to the articles 11 of the article group 13 in such a way that the articles 11 are tapered at the top. are held in the through holes 17 or 20 of the corresponding packaging member 15 or 18 in a clamping manner respectively. Specifically, the bottle 12 is held in a clamping manner below a so-called neck ring, and the jar is held in a clamping manner below a flange forming the rim of the jar.

Subsequently, a strapping module 9 may optionally be provided, the strapping being tightened around the outwardly facing outer side of the articles 11 of the packaging unit 10, thereby additionally holding this packaging unit together. Preferably, the strap 31 is constructed of paper material or a suitable cardboard material. However, the strapping strap 31 may also be formed of plastic material, composite material or thin metal material.

The packaging units 10 can then be fed to other operating modules 30 , such as trays or tray forming or processing modules, in which several packaging units 10 are arranged on a tray and thus combined into larger sales units. . Subsequently, a plurality of packaging units 10 arranged on a Tray can be wrapped, for example, with a heat 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 the device 1 for manufacturing a packaging unit 10 according to the invention and the method for manufacturing a packaging unit according to the invention. Reference numerals that have been used in connection with Figure 1 refer to the description above.

In the embodiment shown here, in the first dividing module 3 , the items 11 fed by the infeed conveyor 2 are formed into a so-called four layout (Vierer-Anordnungen) in the form of two by two items 11 . ) item group 13. These groups of items 13 can be combined into a bundled group of items 13 u in an optional first strapping module 9 - 1 by means of strapping straps 31 - 1 tightened around the outwardly facing outer sides of the items 11 of the group of items 13 .

In the first application module 4 , a first packaging blank 16 is applied to the bundled group of items 13 u , which first packaging blank 16 is provided with four passages for the four items 11 of the bundled group 13 u . Hole 17. The subunits 22 thus formed are fed to a second dividing module 6 , in which two subunits 22 are each formed into a second article group 14 .

In the 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 corresponding through-holes 20 for the eight articles 11 of the second article group 11 .

Furthermore, a strapping module 9 - 2 can optionally be provided, in which the second strapping strip 31 - 2 is tightened around the outwardly facing outer sides of the eight items 11 of the packaging unit 10 , thereby additionally making the packaging Unit 10 is stable.

Optionally, the layout of the first strapping module 9 - 1 and the first application module 4 and/or the layout of the second strapping module 9 - 2 and the second application module 7 can also be exchanged. Thus, for example, the first group of articles 13 can first be combined into subunits 22 via the first packaging blank 16 and subsequently bundled before forming the second group of articles 14 .

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a number n of items 11 in the packaging unit 10 are combined into sub-units 22 through the first packaging member 15 , wherein the packaging unit 10 includes multiples of n items 11 , thus including multiple Subunit 22.

As shown in FIG. 1 , each subunit 22 includes two items 11 respectively, and the three subunits 22 are combined into a packaging unit 10 including six items 11 through the second packaging member 18 .

As shown in FIG. 1 , each subunit 22 includes four items 11 respectively, and the two subunits 22 are combined into a packaging unit 10 including eight items 11 through the second packaging member 18 .

The schematic top view of FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the device 1 for manufacturing a packaging unit 10 according to the invention and the method for manufacturing a packaging unit according to the invention. Therein, in the first dividing module 3 the two articles 11 are combined into a first article group 13 and in the first applying module 4 by means of the first packaging blank 16 they are combined into sub-units 22 . Subsequently, the subunit 22 is assigned to another object 11 in the second division module 6 , thereby forming a second item group 14 . The second group of items 14 thus includes three items 11 , two of which have been joined together with the first packaging blank 16 .

On this second group of articles 14 , in order to form the packaging unit 10 , a second packaging blank 19 is applied in the second application module 7 following in the transport direction TR, which second packaging blank 19 is identical to that of the group of articles 14 . The arrangement of the items 11 is accordingly preferably triangular.

The schematic top view of FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the device 1 for manufacturing a packaging unit 10 according to the invention and the method for manufacturing a packaging unit according to the invention. Wherein, a first item group 13 including three items 11 is constructed in the first division module 3 .

The first application module 4 is adapted to fasten the first packaging blank 16 in such a way that it forms a subunit 22 on a part of the articles 11 of the first group of articles 13 , in particular on two articles 11 of the first group of articles 13 . For this purpose, the first packaging blank 16 has two through-holes 17 for the two corresponding articles 11 .

Furthermore, the second application module 7 following in the transport direction TR is suitable for fastening the second packaging blank 19 to the articles 11 of the first article group 13 , which articles 11 consist of at least one article of the first subunit 22 11 and at least one other item 11 of the first group 13 of items. According to the embodiment shown, the second packaging blank 19 has in particular three items 11 for the first item group 13 or for the items 11 of the first subunit 22 and further items 11 of the first item group 13 . 20 through holes.

The schematic top view of FIG. 5 shows another form of packaging unit 10 . Among them, six items 11 are arranged in two rows and three rows. Each of the three rows of three items 11 is combined into a sub-unit 22 via a first packaging blank 16 . Furthermore, the intermediate articles 11 m of the two sub-units 22 are connected together by a second packaging blank 19 applied over the first packaging blank 16 , thereby forming the packaging unit 10 .

Furthermore, in all embodiments described here, in particular the second packaging component 18 can have an upper side provided with information, wherein in particular the upper side of the second packaging component 18 is printed with information about the article 11 , is provided with Barcoded and/or equipped with an RFID chip.

If the second packaging component 18 only partially covers the at least one first packaging component 15 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , then at least the visible area of the first packaging component 15 is also equipped with information. According to one embodiment, the visible area of the at least one first packaging member 15 and the upper side of the second packaging member 18 may be printed in such a way that an overall image is produced.

The use of two different packaging blanks 16 and 19 increases the stability of the finished packaging unit 10 . The advantage of the multi-stage method described here is that the first packaging blank 16 and the second packaging blank 19 used, each formed from a thinner material, can be implemented as a conventionally known top grip carton packaging, wherein The stability of the packaging unit 10 is not affected thereby.

When using packaging blanks 16, 19 formed from a relatively thin material, the application force used to apply and install the packaging blanks 16, 19 on the article 11 can be reduced. This enables the use of thinner walled items 11 without damaging them when the packaging blanks 16, 19 are applied with a downward force component.

The embodiments, examples and variants of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description and drawings, including their various views or corresponding individual features, can be used independently of one another or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment apply to all embodiments unless these features are contradictory.

Although the depictions and views described in connection with the foregoing drawings are generally "schematic", this in no way means that the drawing depictions and their description are secondary to the disclosure of the present invention. A person skilled in the art is fully capable of obtaining sufficient information from the schematic and abstractly drawn depictions to simplify his understanding of the invention without, for example, being confused by the object 11 , the packaging blanks 16 , 19 and/or the device 1 The drawn and dimensional relationships of parts or other drawn elements may not be entirely to scale and may not be understood in any way. The drawings therefore enable the reader, a person skilled in the art, to better understand the functional principles set forth in the claims as well as in the general part of the description by means of the specifically explained functional principles of the method according to the invention and of the device according to the invention. The idea of the invention is presented in a more general and/or abstract manner.

List of reference numbers

1 device

2. Transport device for feeding materials

3 The first division module

4 First application module

5. Box for the first packaging blank

6 Second division module

7 Second application module

8 Magazine for secondary packaging blanks

9 strapping module

9-1 The first bundling module

9-2 Second Bundling Module

10 packaging units

11 items

11m items in the middle

12 bottles

13 First item group

13u bundled item set

14 Second item group

15 First packaging component

16 First packaging blank

17 through holes

18 Second packaging component

19 Second packaging blank

20 through holes

22 subunits

30 operating module

31 strapping

31-1 First strapping

31-2 Second strapping

TR transport direction

Claims (15)

1. A packaging unit (10) comprising a plurality of articles (11),

wherein at least two articles (11) are combined into one subunit (22) with the first packaging member (15), and

wherein at least two subunits (22) are combined into said packaging unit (10) with a second packaging member (18), or,

wherein at least one subunit (22) and at least one other article (11) are combined into said packaging unit (10) with a second packaging member (18),

wherein the first packaging member (15) and the second packaging member (18) are each formed from one packaging blank (16, 19),

the packaging blanks (16, 19) each comprise a through-hole (17, 20) for an article (11) consolidated by the first packaging blank (16) or the second packaging blank (19),

wherein the through holes (17, 20) of the respective packaging blanks (16, 19) correspond to the longitudinal centre axis of the combined article (11), and wherein the respective packaging blanks (16, 19) are mounted on the article (11) in such a way that the article (11) partly passes through the through holes (17, 20) of the respective packaging blanks (16, 19) so as to be held together by the respective packaging blanks (16, 19).

2. Packaging unit (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one subunit (22) is provided with at least one strapping (31), the strapping (31) being tightened around an outer side of the item (11) of the subunit (22).

3. Packaging unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the packaging unit (10) is further provided with at least one strapping (31), the strapping (31) being tightened around an outwardly facing outer side of the articles (11) of the packaging unit (10).

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

5. The packaging unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first packaging member (15) and the second packaging member (18) are substantially composed of the same material, or wherein the first packaging member (15) and the second packaging member (18) are each composed of different materials.

6. An apparatus (1) for manufacturing a packaging unit (10) comprising a plurality of articles (11), the apparatus (1) comprising

At least one first dividing module (3) for combining a first group of articles (13), at least one first application module (4) for fastening a first packaging blank (16) on an article (11) of the first group of articles (13), and

at least one second application module (7) for fastening a second package blank (19) on at least one article (11) of the first group of articles (13) to which the first package blank (16) is applied and on at least one other article (11),

the first packaging blank (16) and the second packaging blank (19) respectively comprise a through-hole (17, 20) for an article (11) consolidated by the first or second packaging blank (16, 19),

wherein the through holes (17, 20) of the respective packaging blanks (16, 19) correspond to the longitudinal central axis of the article (11),

the first application module (4) and the second application module (7) are adapted to apply the respective packaging blank (16, 19) onto the article (11) from above in such a way that the article (11) partly passes through the through-hole (17, 20) of the respective packaging blank (16, 19) to be held together by the respective packaging blank (16, 19).

7. The device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the first application module (4) is adapted to fasten at least one first packaging blank (16) on a portion of the articles (11) of the first article group (13) in a manner forming a first subunit (22), and wherein the second application module (7) is adapted to fasten the second packaging blank (19) on the articles (11) of the first article group (13), the articles (11) being formed by at least one article (11) of the subunit (22) and at least one other article (11) of the first article group (13).

8. The device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the first application module (4) is adapted to fasten the first packaging blank (16) on an article (11) of the first group of articles (13),

wherein the device (1) comprises a second dividing module (6),

the second dividing module (6) is adapted to combine at least one second group of items (14),

the second group of items (14) comprises at least two subunits (22), or the second group of items (14) comprises at least one subunit (22) and at least one other item (11), and

wherein the second application module (7) is adapted to fasten the second package blank (19) on an article (11) of the second article group (14),

the article (11) is formed by at least one article (11) of at least two subunits (22) of the second article group (14), or

The articles (11) are formed by at least one article (11) of the at least one subunit (22) and at least one other article (11) of the second group of articles (14).

9. The device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the device (1) comprises at least one strapping module (9), the strapping module (9-1) being adapted to merge the articles (11) of the first article group (13) together by means of at least one strapping (31), the strapping (31) being placed and secured under tension around an outer side of the articles (11) of the first article group (13).

10. The device (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the device (1) comprises at least one strapping module (9-2), the strapping module (9-2) being adapted to merge together the articles (11) of the second article group by means of at least one strapping (31), the strapping (31) being placed and fixed under tension around the outer side of the articles (11) of the second article group (14).

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

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

-applying at least one first packaging member (15) constructed as a packaging blank (16) on at least a portion of the articles (11) of the first group of articles (13), and

-applying at least one second packaging member (18) constructed as a packaging blank (19) to at least a portion of the article (11) provided with said first packaging member (15) and to at least one other article (11),

wherein the first packaging blank (16) and the second packaging blank (19) each comprise a through hole (17, 20) for the consolidated article (11),

wherein the through holes (17, 20) of the respective packaging blanks (16, 19) correspond to the longitudinal central axis of the article (11), and

wherein the respective packaging blank is mounted on the article (11) in such a way that the article (11) is partly passed through the through-holes (17, 20) of the respective packaging blank (16, 19) so as to be held together by the respective packaging blank (16, 19).

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein a portion of the articles (11) of the first group of articles (13) are combined into one subunit (22) with the first packaging member (15), and

wherein at least one item (11) of the subunit (22) and at least one other item (11) of the group of items are combined into the packaging unit (10) with the second packaging member (18),

in particular wherein the subunit (22) comprises a number n of items (11), and wherein the group of items comprises a multiple n of items (11).

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the articles (11) of the first group of articles (13) are combined into one subunit (22) with the first packaging member (15), and

wherein at least two subunits (22) are combined into said packaging unit (10) with a second packaging member (18), or,

wherein at least one subunit (22) and at least one other article (11) are combined into the packaging unit (10) with a second packaging member (18).

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the articles (11) forming a subunit (22) of the first group of articles (13) are combined together with a strapping (31) before or after or during application of the first packaging member (15) to form the subunit (22).

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the articles (11) forming the packaging unit (10) are combined together with a strapping (31) before or after or during application of the second packaging member (18) to form the packaging unit (10).