Packaging unit for at least two button cells

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging unit for at least two button cells, in particular in a packaging unit (100; 200; 300; 400) for at least two button cells (50), the packaging unit comprising for each of the button cells a separate individual compartment (10) which encloses the button cell. The individual compartments (10) are each formed by a separate deep-drawn plastic cover (11) and a plastic film (12) fixed at the back thereof. The individual compartments (10) are constructed such that they cannot be opened toollessly. Furthermore, the packaging unit comprises a carrier (20) on which the individual compartments (10) are mounted, wherein the individual compartments are spaced apart from one another on the carrier. The invention furthermore comprises a method for producing such a packaging unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a child-safe packaging unit for at least two button batteries. In particular, the packaging unit is a blister card type package. Background Technology

[0002] The high demand for button batteries inevitably makes packaging for this mass-produced product a crucial factor. It must be both economical and aesthetically pleasing to stimulate purchasing interest. A particularly popular type is the blister pack (sometimes called a bubble wrap pack), a cardboard-shaped visible packaging for sales and storage, in which the button batteries are encased in a plastic film molded piece.

[0003] An example of a sales and storage packaging for button batteries of the blister card type is known from EP 259574 A2, wherein the packaging is formed on the one hand by a tear-resistant, preferably transparent film made of PVC and polyethylene methylene chloride in a basin shape for holding the button battery, and on the other hand by a planar sealing film made of aluminum. To remove the button battery, it is squeezed through the easily tearable aluminum film from the outside.

[0004] This process, however, can be performed very easily and has been done by young children when necessary. To minimize the risk that a young child may unintentionally remove and swallow the button battery, child-safe packaging units are known that cannot be easily opened by a child. Such packaging should ensure better safety and, in particular, prevent the button battery from being accidentally removed by a child.

[0005] For example, sales and storage packaging of the blister card type is known from DE 20 2019 101 861 U1, in which a plastic molded part is fixed on a carrier, for example, formed from cardboard preform. The plastic molded part includes at least one deeply drawn recess that forms with the carrier a closed receiving portion with a cylindrical base shape for a cylindrical button battery. Furthermore, the receiving portion includes raised side spaces, preferably constructed as a central space, such that they cannot be filled by the button battery. In this packaging design, the side spaces can be opened by cutting to allow the button battery to be removed from the packaging. Toolless opening is not easily achieved, thus preventing accidental opening by a child from occurring. Moreover, the side spaces are designed so that the button battery does not come into contact with the scissors during cutting, because the button battery, by its size, does not extend into the side spaces. This avoids short circuits or damage to the button battery.

[0006] Another aspect of child safety is the accidental swallowing of button batteries, which is associated with the risk of severe burns in the esophagus and other serious problems in the gastrointestinal tract caused by the discharge of button batteries. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In this context, the objective of this invention is to provide an improved packaging unit for two or more button batteries that, on the one hand, takes into account the important aspect of child safety, and on the other hand, enables a visually appealing and flexibly designable sales presentation. Furthermore, the particularly economical production of the packaging unit should also be feasible.

[0008] This task is solved by a packaging unit having the features of claim 1. A particularly advantageous design of the packaging unit is derived from the claim dependent on claim 1. Furthermore, this task is solved by a method for manufacturing such a packaging unit according to another co-existing claim. A preferred design of the method is derived from another claim dependent thereon.

[0009] The packaging unit for at least two button batteries according to the present invention is characterized by the following features:

[0010] a. The packaging unit comprises a separate, individual compartment for each button cell, which surrounds the button cell, and

[0011] b. Each compartment is formed by a separately drawn plastic cover and a plastic film fixed to its back.

[0012] c. Each compartment is constructed in such a way that it cannot be opened without tools, and

[0013] d. The packaging unit includes a carrier on which a single compartment is mounted, and

[0014] e. Individual compartments are spaced apart from each other on the carrier.

[0015] According to the invention, each button battery in the packaging unit is surrounded in a separate single compartment, and the single compartments are spaced apart from each other on the carrier. The packaging unit according to the invention thus allows for the packaging of multiple button batteries, with each individual button battery individually encapsulated. Each single compartment is formed by a deeply drawn plastic cover and a plastic film fixed therein, thus securing and encapsulating each button battery itself. The fixation of the plastic film on the back at the plastic cover is constructed such that the fixation cannot be easily loosened, i.e., it cannot be pulled down or torn off in particular. Conversely, opening the individual compartment requires tools, such as scissors or a knife, so that small children generally cannot open the individual compartments or the encapsulation. Through this secure encapsulation, even in the event of swallowing the button battery encapsulated in the individual compartment, there is no significant danger from the button battery, because damage caused by the button battery, in particular, is unlikely to occur in the esophagus or stomach / intestinal tract. Even if the button battery is in the stomach / intestinal tract, it remains within the individual compartment and is usually expelled as a unit.

[0016] The following is an example: by surrounding the button battery in a single compartment, the association of the button battery with candy, etc., is avoided, thus also preventing children from swallowing such a single compartment containing the button battery.

[0017] In addition, individual compartments can be configured to have a minimum size that prevents children from swallowing.

[0018] Another particular advantage associated with the single compartment for a single button cell is the nature of the manufacturing technology. Typically, the blister pack for button cells varies depending on the number of button cells in the packaging unit. A packaging unit for two cells requires a different blister pack than one for three, four, or five button cells. Suitable tools are also needed to manufacture each blister pack. Completely different, according to the invention: here, independent of the number of button cells, which should be included in the packaging unit, the same single compartment is always used. The difference lies only in the number and arrangement of the single compartments on the carrier.

[0019] The spacing between individual compartments on the carrier allows the button battery to be individually removed from the respective individual compartment in a particularly user-friendly manner, without unintentionally damaging adjacent individual compartments.

[0020] Generally, a button cell is understood as an electrochemical energy storage battery with a cylindrical casing, whose total height is smaller than its diameter.

[0021] The button cell of the packaging unit according to the invention can be, in particular, a lithium button cell, from which a relatively high risk arises in the event of swallowing. However, the button cell can also be another type of energy storage battery, such as an alkaline button cell, a silver oxide button cell, or a zinc-air button cell.

[0022] Given that a single compartment containing a button battery is mounted on a carrier, the packaging unit stands out in the preferred design due to the following features:

[0023] a. To install individual compartments on a carrier, the plastic film on the back of the individual compartment is installed, especially bonded or welded, at the carrier.

[0024] By securing the entire back side of the plastic film on the back of each individual compartment to the carrier, reliable retention of the individual compartment on the carrier is ensured. Adhesion or welding can be achieved in ways known per se, with heat sealing being particularly suitable, which is preferably performed by supporting the carrier surface with a sealing varnish (Siegellack, sometimes also called sealing wax).

[0025] Packaging units, especially sales and / or storage packaging.

[0026] In particular, the carrier of the packaging unit is a surface material, such as button batteries or accumulators in the field of blister packaging, or energy storage batteries.

[0027] In a particularly preferred manner, the packaging unit is distinguished by the carrier having at least one of the following characteristics:

[0028] a. The carrier is a cardboard card.

[0029] b. The carrier comprises, at least proportionally, secondary fiber paperboard, especially recycled cellulose.

[0030] Preferably, the aforementioned features a. and b. can be implemented by combining with each other.

[0031] The carrier is preferably constructed as a cardboard preform. Such cardboard preforms are widely used in such blister packaging. The use of recycled materials for the cardboard preform (and also for manufacturing individual compartments) is particularly preferred to reduce environmental impact. It can be configured such that at least one side of the cardboard preform is colored-printed, and in particular, displays information about the product. The printed side is especially the side where the individual compartments are mounted. In principle, the carrier can also be made of other materials, such as plastic, or can be made of different materials, such as a composite material of cardboard and plastic.

[0032] In a particularly preferred manner, the packaging unit according to the invention stands out by at least one of the following features:

[0033] a. The deeply drawn plastic cover forms a basin-shaped recess with a rounded outline to accommodate the button battery.

[0034] b. The circular outline of the concave part of the basin has an flared edge in part of the circular area.

[0035] c. The flared portion of the edge extends through a circular outline of the concave portion of the basin, by a maximum of 25%, and especially a maximum of 20%.

[0036] d. The deep-drawn plastic cover has a flat, surrounding surface where a plastic film for the back side is fixed.

[0037] In a particularly preferred manner, the aforementioned features a. and b. or a. and b. and c. or even more particularly preferred features a. to d. are implemented together with each other.

[0038] The circular contour of the basin-shaped recess in the plastic cover allows the receiving portion to be optimally matched to the shape and size of the corresponding button battery. Suitablely, the circular contour of the receiving portion is not much larger than the button battery, thus providing a certain gap for inserting and removing the button battery during the packaging process.

[0039] The flared portion of the edge, as described in feature b. above, is designed for user-friendly opening through the packaging, allowing for the removal of individual button batteries while ensuring child safety. The flared portion or bulge (side space) of the edge serves as the point of action for opening individual compartments using shears or a knife. Since this opening requires a tool, this is a highly advantageous design for child safety in the packaging unit according to the invention.

[0040] The flared portion at the edge is preferably designed according to feature c mentioned above, such that it constitutes only a quarter or less of the circular outline, so that the button cell cannot slide into the flared portion within a single compartment. This is further supported by the fact that the flared portion has a smaller height than the remaining basin-shaped recess, thereby reliably preventing the button cell from sliding along the flared portion at the edge.

[0041] Furthermore, it can be configured such that at least one shear mark exists on the carrier in the region of the expansion at the edge of the respective individual compartment, which guides through the expansion and thus provides precise guidance to the user on how to open the individual compartment.

[0042] Furthermore, according to feature d mentioned above, it is highly advantageous that the plastic cover is constructed with a flat surface surrounding the plastic film on the back for securing it. This provides a sealing edge that offers a good working surface for securing the plastic film on the back, thus enabling a particularly reliable closure or seal of individual compartments.

[0043] The basin-shaped recess preferably has a flat bottom and surrounding walls. The bottom is parallel to the carrier orientation. The distance between the bottom and the carrier defines the height of the receiving portion for the button battery.

[0044] As already mentioned, the receiving portion suitably matches the shape and size of the button battery inserted therein. Preferably, the receiving portion has a diameter that is increased to 1.05 to 1.3 times the diameter of the button battery. In another preferred embodiment, the receiving portion has a height that is increased to 1.01 to 1.2 times the height of the button battery.

[0045] In the absence of an expansion at the edge of the side space forming a receiving portion, the recess and therefore the receiving portion are strictly cylindrical. The presence of the side space causes a departure from the strictly cylindrical geometry. According to the invention, the shape of the side space is not important, so the expansion at the edge may, for example, be rounded or have one or more angles. However, the side space should be advantageously constructed such that it cannot be filled by a button battery. The side space therefore preferably includes at least one partial area into which the button battery cannot intrude, at least not in the absence of damage or deformation to the expansion, even when the button battery has limited mobility within the expansion.

[0046] Particularly preferably, the side space has a smaller height compared to the rest of the receiving portion, and especially a smaller height compared to the button battery. This simplifies cutting. Furthermore, it is a particularly simple and feasible solution to effectively prevent the button battery from intruding into the side space.

[0047] In a particularly preferred design for a single compartment, the following features are included:

[0048] a. The material of the plastic cover has a greater thickness than the material of the plastic film on the back.

[0049] This is achieved by using different thicknesses of the materials used for the plastic cover and the plastic film used for the back cover, making the back film more flexible than the front plastic cover. Furthermore, the greater flexibility of the back plastic film allows for particularly stable fixation or reinforcement of the back plastic film of individual compartments onto the carrier. The material of the plastic cover is preferably chosen in this regard to achieve a stable shape for the housing of the button battery.

[0050] In a particularly preferred manner, the packaging unit according to the invention is distinguished by the material used for the individual compartments having at least one, and preferably both, of the following characteristics a. and b.:

[0051] a. The material of the plastic cover has a film thickness in the range of 250-350 μm, especially 300 μm.

[0052] b. The material of the plastic film on the back has a film thickness in the range of 150-250 μm, especially 200 μm.

[0053] In principle, the material, especially for plastic covers, can be made of any deep-drawn plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyethylene, especially low-density polyethylene (PE-LD).

[0054] In a particularly preferred manner, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is used as the material for both the plastic cover and, preferably, the plastic film. When PET is used not only for the plastic cover but also for the back plastic film, a particularly secure closure of each individual compartment can be achieved, thus making the button battery encapsulation particularly reliable, especially considering the possibility of swallowing the individual compartments of the surrounded button battery. Particularly preferably, the PET film for the plastic cover has a film thickness in the range of 250-350 μm, particularly 300 μm, as mentioned above, and the PET material of the back plastic film has a film thickness in the range of 150-250 μm, particularly 200 μm.

[0055] Particularly preferably, the material of the plastic cover, and preferably the same material of the plastic film on the back, is transparent. This measure allows for the creation of particularly attractive optical appearance shapes and flexible packaging units, since the optical appearance of the packaging unit then makes an impression essentially through the design of the carrier.

[0056] The carrier, i.e., the cardboard preform, may be further provided with a reinforcing film, such as a film made of polyethylene terephthalate, polyolefin, and / or PVC. The film may have a thickness, for example, in the range of 5 μm to 50 μm. With the reinforcing film, the carrier is designed as an additional safety measure to prevent tearing. Here, the carrier and, in particular, the cardboard preform can be fully or partially covered with the reinforcing film. For example, only such an area of ​​the carrier may be covered with the reinforcing film, i.e., an area equipped with a single compartment for a button battery. Additionally or alternatively, the back side of the carrier or the side of the carrier opposite to a single battery may also be covered with the reinforcing film, and / or the edges of the carrier may be shielded and reinforced by the reinforcing film.

[0057] The reinforced film can, for example, have a strength of approximately 1000 kg / cm² according to specification ASTM D882. 2 Up to 3500 kg / cm 2 Within the range, preferably according to specification ASTM D882 at 1200 kg / cm² 2 Up to 3300 kg / cm 2 The tensile strength within the range.

[0058] In a particularly preferred manner, the packaging unit according to the invention stands out by the following additional features:

[0059] a. A single compartment has a rhomboid outline with rounded edges.

[0060] The rhomboid shape or contour with rounded edges in each individual compartment allows for a very flexible design of the packaging unit according to the invention. Individual compartments can be arranged on the carrier, for example, side-by-side, in a grid shape, or in a circular shape. The rhomboid shape here allows for a very space-saving arrangement on the carrier. Thus, in a very attractive manner, for example, two, four, or five individual compartments can be provided for each packaging unit. Double packaging with 2x5 button batteries is also possible, for example. Obviously, other arrangements and numbers of individual compartments on the carrier are also possible.

[0061] Furthermore, perforated seams can be provided on the carrier to facilitate the easy separation of the various sections of the carrier. For example, sections with individual compartments can be provided in this way for easy separation.

[0062] Overall, given the number of button cells in each package unit and also the optical appearance and geometric arrangement of the individual compartments on the carrier, the individual compartment packaging of button cells allows for very flexible use in the packaging process and greater flexibility in designing the package units. Individual compartments can be produced very simply in large quantities and then, in principle, fixed to the carrier in any number and arrangement.

[0063] The shape and small size of the deep-drawn plastic cover allow for optimal use of the plastic in deep-drawing applications, thereby minimizing unwanted plastic waste (perforated mesh).

[0064] The use of PET, especially 100% PET, for single compartments is also very environmentally friendly because it can be easily and simply supplied to potential recycling processes.

[0065] Therefore, the packaging unit according to the invention can be designed very environmentally friendly overall, because not only the carrier made of recycled and / or recyclable materials but also individual compartments made of recycled and / or recyclable materials can be manufactured. The carrier is, for example, an environmentally friendly carrier cardboard card, which may be made of at least 90% recycled secondary fiber cardboard. As for the plastic material, for example, 80% recycled PET can be used for the plastic cover and the plastic film on the back. Furthermore, the amount of plastic material required is significantly less than in the case of conventional blister card type packaging, where the entire front of the carrier is typically made of plastic.

[0066] Overall, the packaging unit according to the invention can therefore be manufactured in a particularly environmentally friendly manner, primarily by also reducing the need for plastics.

[0067] The present invention further includes a method for manufacturing a packaging unit for at least two button batteries. The method for manufacturing the packaging unit described above includes the following steps:

[0068] a. Provide at least two deep-drawn plastic covers, each with a basin-shaped recess, and

[0069] b. Insert the button battery into each of the basin-shaped recesses, and

[0070] c. Each plastic cover is individually enclosed with a plastic film in the case of constructing a single compartment, and

[0071] d. At least two individual compartments are mounted on the carrier for constructing a packaging unit, wherein the individual compartments are spaced apart from each other.

[0072] Regarding the sealing of the plastic cover, the method according to the invention is particularly outstanding by at least one of the following features a. to c.:

[0073] a. The plastic cover is achieved by sealing with a plastic film through welding or bonding.

[0074] b. The plastic cover is achieved by heat sealing with a plastic film.

[0075] c. Heat sealing for sealing plastic covers is achieved by adjusting parameters such as time, pressure, and temperature.

[0076] The individual compartments are reliably sealed by welding or bonding the plastic film on the back to the plastic cover, making them difficult to open without tools. This ensures that the individual compartments form an hermetically sealed space for the button battery, which will not open in the esophagus or stomach / intestinal tract, for example, in the event of unintentional swallowing of the individual compartments.

[0077] To ensure that individual compartments cannot be opened without tools, it is particularly preferred that the plastic film on the back of each individual compartment is fixed to a separate, deeply drawn plastic cover by welding, and that both the back film and the plastic film are made of a film material, preferably having a strength of approximately 1000 kg / cm² according to specification ASTM D882, such as a reinforcing film. 2 Up to 3500 kg / cm 2 The tensile strength within the range, preferably 1200 kg / cm² according to specification ASTM D882. 2 Up to 3300 kg / cm 2 The tensile strength within the range.

[0078] In a particularly preferred manner, heat sealing is performed to close individual compartments. This can be advantageously integrated into the manufacturing process for the packaging units and is very well controlled by adjusting parameters such as time, pressure, and temperature.

[0079] In a particularly preferred manner, the method according to the invention further excels by at least one of the following additional features, preferably by a combination of features a. and b.:

[0080] a. The carrier is coated with a sealant before each individual compartment is installed.

[0081] b. The installation of individual compartments on the carrier is achieved through heat sealing.

[0082] The installation of individual compartments on the carrier can be further manufactured and secured, especially through the sealing varnish used in the preparation for the heat-sealing process. Furthermore, the use of the sealing varnish allows for particularly suitable production processes.

[0083] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the figures. Here, each feature may be implemented individually or in combination with each other. Attached Figure Description

[0084] In the attached diagram:

[0085] Figure 1 An oblique top view is shown of a single compartment of the packaging unit according to the invention, with a surrounding button battery;

[0086] Figure 2 A top view of a single compartment of the packaging unit according to the invention, facing the fine line with the sealing surface, is shown;

[0087] Figure 3 A top view of a single compartment of the packaging unit according to the invention, showing two cross-sectional views, is shown;

[0088] Figure 4 A top view of the packaging unit according to the invention, which has two separate individual compartments, is shown;

[0089] Figure 5 A top view of the packaging unit according to the invention, which has four individual compartments, is shown;

[0090] Figure 6 A top view of the packaging unit according to the invention, which has five individual compartments, is shown; and

[0091] Figure 7 A top view of the packaging unit according to the invention, which has five individual compartments arranged in a row, is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0092] Figure 1A single compartment 10 for a packaging unit according to the invention is shown, wherein two or more such single compartments 10 are mounted on a carrier. The single compartment 10 encloses a button cell 50, such as a lithium button cell. The single compartment 10 is formed here by a deeply drawn plastic cover 11 with a basin-shaped recess and a plastic film 12 fixed thereon on its back side. The basin-shaped recess shows a circular outline for accommodating the button cell. Furthermore, an edging 13 is provided in the basin-shaped recess. The size of the edging 13 is chosen such that the button cell 50 enclosed inside the single compartment 10 cannot, or at least cannot, completely slide into the edging 13.

[0093] The individual compartment 10, or the deep-drawn plastic cover 11 forming the individual compartment 10, and the plastic film 12 on the back are preferably made of plastic material, preferably PET. Preferably, the plastic cover 11 is made of a material that is more shape-stable than the plastic film on the back, and especially of a thicker plastic film. By using PET to PET in the case of sealing the individual compartments, a particularly child-safe encapsulation of the button battery is achieved, which does not dissolve or disperse even in the event of accidental swallowing of the individual compartments.

[0094] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the material of the plastic cover 11 is PET with a thickness of 300 μm. Recycled materials, such as 80% recycled materials, can also be used. The plastic film 12 on the back is preferably also made of PET, particularly preferably with a film thickness of 200 μm, and if necessary, is also made of recycled materials, preferably 80% recycled materials.

[0095] To open the individual compartment 10, the user performs a cutting or knife cut in the area of ​​the expansion 13 at the edge of the plastic cover 11, thereby creating the possibility of intervention to open the individual compartment and remove the button battery 50. This opening of the individual compartment 10 is therefore feasible using only a tool.

[0096] The basin-shaped recess of the deep-drawn plastic cover 11 is suitably matched to the size of the button battery to be packaged. For example, a basin-shaped recess with a diameter of 20.9 mm can be used for button batteries with a diameter up to 20 mm. For larger or smaller button batteries, the diameter of the basin-shaped recess 11 can be matched accordingly.

[0097] Figure 2A top view shows a single compartment 10 with a button battery 50 enclosed therein. A basin-shaped recess of a plastic cover 11 is surrounded by a flat, surrounding surface 14, which forms a sealing surface for securing a plastic film to the back there. The deeply drawn plastic cover 11 and the plastic film to the back are fixedly connected to each other in the region of the sealing surface 14, thus sealing the button battery 50 inside the single compartment 10 outwardly. The button battery 50 is thus reliably encapsulated in the single compartment 10, so that there is generally no danger even in the event of unintentional swallowing of the single compartment 10.

[0098] The sealing surface 14 defines the outer contour of a single compartment 10, wherein the contour is rhomboidally constructed with rounded edges in this preferred embodiment. This shape allows for different, and particularly equally space-saving, arrangements of multiple single compartments 10 on the carrier. Obviously, other shapes for the single compartments can also be provided.

[0099] Figure 3 Another top view of a single compartment 10 is shown, with additional cross-sections along section lines AA and BB also shown.

[0100] Section BB illustrates that the button battery 50 is positioned within the receiving portion of the single compartment 10 with a certain gap. However, the button battery cannot slide into the expansion portion 13 at the edge of the basin-shaped recess, as illustrated in section AA, because the expansion portion extends only less than a quarter of the circular periphery of the basin-shaped recess.

[0101] Figure 4 The illustration shows a packaging unit 100 according to the invention, which has two individual compartments 10 fixed thereto, each compartment surrounding a button battery. Details of the individual compartments 10 are derived from the previous description. The individual compartments 10 are adhered or welded to a carrier 20, particularly a cardboard preform, with a plastic film on their back side. In particular, heat sealing is applied for this purpose. To improve the mounting of the individual compartments 10 on the carrier 20, the carrier may be provided with a sealing varnish, particularly in the area of ​​the individual compartments 10 to be coated. Hanging eyelets 21 are suitably punched in the area above the carrier 20, so that the packaging unit 100 can be hung on a sales shelf.

[0102] The carrier 20 is a rectangular carrier. The carrier 20 can be designed with different colors and graphics.

[0103] Packaging unit 100 can be used, in particular, as sales packaging, but also, for example, as storage packaging.

[0104] Figure 5 Another packaging unit 200 according to the invention is shown, in which four individual compartments 10 are generally arranged, each containing an enclosing button battery. The individual compartments 10 are arranged in two rows, with two individual compartments in each row. (Compared to...) Figure 4 The packaging unit 100 can be compared with this, and the hanging eyelet 21 is also provided in the rectangular carrier 20.

[0105] Figure 6 Another sales unit 300 according to the invention is shown. In this case, five individual compartments are generally mounted on a rectangular carrier 20. The individual compartments 10 are fixed to the carrier 20 in a space-saving manner, however, with a spacing relative to each other.

[0106] Figure 7 Another packaging unit 400 according to the invention is shown. Also generally, five individual compartments 10, each containing a button battery, are mounted on a carrier 20. The individual compartments 10 are arranged in a row from top to bottom. Perforated seams 22 are respectively provided on the carrier between the individual compartments 10, so that corresponding sections of the carrier can be separated by individual compartments or by button batteries. The design of the packaging unit 400 having the possibility of tearing open sections each containing a button battery is also called a tear-off type.

[0107] The possible shearing marks are not shown in the figure, but extend through the expansion 13 at the edge of the individual compartment 10. Such shearing marks indicate to the user the possibility of opening the individual compartment 10 by shearing within the area of ​​the expansion 13.

[0108] In the manufacture of individual compartments and packaging units according to the invention, the closure of individual compartments is preferably achieved by heat sealing, which is regulated by three sealing parameters (time, pressure, and temperature). In this way, a very reliable seal between the plastic cover and the plastic film on the back can be achieved. Similarly, the individual compartments themselves can be heat-sealed onto a carrier, wherein the carrier is preferably provided with a sealing varnish on the front side, which ensures very good adhesion of the individual compartments.

[0109] A particular advantage of the packaging unit according to the invention is that production can be performed in an automated manner. In particular, packaging machines with automated button battery handling, as well as automated intermediate packaging and shipping packaging, are used here.

Claims

1. A packaging unit (100; 200; 300; 400) comprising at least two button cells (50), having the following features: a. The packaging unit comprises a separate single compartment (10) for each of the button batteries (50), which surrounds the button battery, and b. Each individual compartment (10) is formed by a separately drawn plastic cover (11) and a plastic film (12) fixed thereon on its back side, and c. The individual compartment (10) is constructed such that it cannot be opened without tools, and d. The packaging unit includes a carrier (20) on which the single compartment (10) is mounted, and e. The individual compartments (10) are spaced apart from each other on the carrier (20).

2. The packaging unit according to claim 1, further comprising the following additional features: a. To mount the individual compartment (10) on the carrier (20), a plastic film (12) on the back of the individual compartment (10) is provided for mounting, in particular adhesive or welding, on the carrier (20).

3. The packaging unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising at least one of the following additional features: a. The carrier (20) is a carrier cardboard card. b. The carrier (20) comprises at least proportionally secondary fiber paperboard, especially recycled cellulose.

4. The packaging unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising at least one of the following additional features: a. The deep-drawn plastic cover (11) forms a basin-shaped recess with a circular outline for accommodating the button battery (50). b. The circular outline of the basin-shaped concave portion has an flared edge (13) in a partially circular region. c. The expansion portion (13) of the edge extends through a circular outline of the concave portion of the basin shape by a maximum of 25%, and particularly a maximum of 20%. d. The deep-drawn plastic cover (11) has a surrounding flat surface (14) where a plastic film (12) on the back side is fixed.

5. The packaging unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising the following additional features: a. The material of the plastic cover (11) has a greater thickness than the material of the plastic film (12) on the back side.

6. The packaging unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising at least one of the following additional features: a. The material of the plastic cover (11) has a film thickness in the range of 250-350 μm, particularly 300 μm. b. The material of the plastic film (12) on the back side has a film thickness in the range of 150-250 μm, especially 200 μm.

7. The packaging unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising at least one of the following additional features: a. The materials of the plastic cover (11) and the plastic film (12) are polyethylene terephthalate (PET), respectively. b. The materials of the plastic cover (11) and the plastic film (12) on the back are transparent.

8. The packaging unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising the following additional features: a. The individual compartment (10) has a rhomboid profile with rounded edges.

9. The packaging unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising the following additional features: a. The packaging unit (100; 200; 300; 400) includes two, four, or five individual compartments (10) for the button battery (50).

10. A method for manufacturing a packaging unit (100; 200; 300; 400) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for at least two button batteries (50), comprising the following steps: a. Provide at least two deep-drawn plastic covers (11), each with a basin-shaped recess, and b. Insert the button battery (50) into each of the basin-shaped recesses, and c. Each plastic cover (11) is closed with a plastic film (12) in the construction of a single compartment (10), and d. At least two individual compartments (10) are mounted on the carrier (20) at intervals from each other to construct the packaging unit.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising at least one of the following additional features: a. The plastic cover (11) is sealed with the plastic film (12) by welding or bonding. b. The plastic cover (11) is sealed with the plastic film (12) by heat sealing. c. The heat seal for closing the plastic cover (11) is performed with the parameters of time, pressure and temperature adjusted.

12. The method according to claim 10 or claim 11, comprising at least one of the following additional features: a. The carrier (20) is coated with a sealing paint before the installation of the individual compartment (20). b. The installation of the individual compartment (10) on the carrier (20) is achieved by heat sealing.

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