Method for wrapping products arranged next to each other in a package

Abstract

Method for wrapping products (2) arranged side by side in a container (1) into a sleeve (3) made of a packaging material (4), wherein the products (2) each have at least one tapered section (6) towards a top (5) of the container (1) and wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: a) providing the packaging material (4) with a pattern (7) of openings (8) which is adapted to the shape of the tapered sections (6) of the products (2) and the arrangement of the products (2) in the container (1); b) Moving the packaging material (4) with the pattern (7) of openings (8) from top to top (5) of the container (1) such that the openings (8) in the packaging material (4) fit around the tapered sections (6) of the products (2) of the container (1) such that the openings (8) of the packaging material (4) encompass the tapered sections (6) in a packaging level (9) below the top (5) of the container (1).c) Wrapping the packaging material (4) around the container (1) such that a cuff (3) is formed around the container (1); and d) joining sections (13) of the packaging material (4) to close the cuff (3).

Description

[0001] Product containers (e.g., bottles or cans) are typically packaged in cardboard packaging. When packaging such containers, the products to be packaged are often first placed in a collated configuration and then either pushed into a carton or inserted into the carton using a top-loading process (RSC). It is also possible to fold the carton around the product container (wrap-around carton). With these packaging options, the products are completely enclosed by the carton and very well protected.

[0002] For products whose primary packaging already offers sufficient protection (e.g., sturdy bottles or cans), these are often simply placed in a base tray and then wrapped in a film, usually shrink film, to hold them together. While this is a very cost-effective packaging option, as up to 80 percent of cardboard material can be saved, this solution has potential for improvement in terms of sustainability. It involves the use of plastic film (shrink film), and the high energy input and costs required to shrink the film around the container using heat.

[0003] For smaller containers (e.g., packs of six beverage bottles), there are also containers with cardboard sleeves. These involve a cardboard sleeve placed around the bottle neck, which both holds the container together and can also serve as a carrying handle. Similar solutions also exist for beverage cans. These solutions are very suitable for smaller containers (e.g., six bottles). However, they are not used for larger containers.

[0004] Paper wrapping solutions are available for packaging larger containers without cardboard and shrink film. This involves wrapping the pre-configured container with paper in one direction, and then sealing the ends with a glued fold. However, this sustainable solution requires a relatively large amount of paper for wrapping.

[0005] In this context, documents US 3 066 795 A and WO 2013 / 168088 A1 represent prior art, showing various types of containers. US 3 353 326 A discloses a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and a container produced by this method.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. This object is achieved by the invention according to the features of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims as well as in the description and, in particular, in the description of the figures. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art can combine the individual features in a technologically expedient manner and thus arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

[0007] This task is solved with the described process and with the packaging of products manufactured according to the process.

[0008] The invention relates to a method for wrapping products arranged next to one another in a container in a sleeve made of a packaging material, wherein the products each have at least one tapered section towards an upper side of the container and wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: a) Providing the packaging material with a pattern of openings that is matched to the shape of the tapered sections of the products and the arrangement of the products in the container, wherein the adjacently arranged products of the container are provided for the process in a base tray that surrounds the products on a bottom side of the container opposite the top side of the container, wherein the base tray has a bottom and an edge, wherein the edge completely surrounds the bottom; b) Moving the packaging material with the pattern of openings from the top to the top side of the container in such a way that the openings in the packaging material are positioned around the tapered sections of the products of the container in such a way that the openings in the packaging material each encompass the tapered sections in a packaging level below the top side of the container; c) Wrapping the packaging material around the container in such a way that a sleeve surrounding the container is formed;and d) connecting packing material sections of the packing material to close the sleeve; wherein the packaging material is a fiber-based kraft paper and wherein the bottom tray is formed from a cardboard.

[0009] The container preferably consists of a plurality of products (for example bottles or cans) arranged in several rows. The products have a tapered section, which is formed, for example, by a bottle neck and which preferably tapers conically at least in sections. If necessary, there can also be a cylindrical section above a tapered area of the tapered section of the products. This structure is typical, for example, for bottle necks. The conical section is particularly suitable for the application of the packaging material because, with a given size of the openings, the conical shape results in a certain height at which the packaging material can no longer slide down, thus defining the packaging level.

[0010] The method described is particularly suitable when the tapered sections have a significantly smaller cross-section than the non-tapered areas of the products, which are arranged below the tapered sections when the products are arranged in the container. This applies, for example, to typical bottle necks, whose cross-section is normally significantly smaller than the cross-section of the bottle belly. The cross-section of the tapered sections is preferably tapered by at least 50 percent compared to the (main) product cross-section. This means that the cross-sectional area of the tapered section in the packaging plane is preferably at least 50 percent smaller than the (main) product cross-section. In this way, it can be achieved in particular that so much packaging material forms the sleeve in the packaging plane that it is not weakened too much, orthat the remaining packing material forms sufficiently stable webs between the openings.

[0011] The container consists, for example, of three to six rows, each containing four to eight products. The pattern of products in rows is also referred to below as the "product arrangement" within the container. The container therefore contains, for example, 12 to 48 products, although the number of products in the container can also be larger or smaller, and these figures are only examples of typical container sizes. In principle, however, the process described here is particularly suitable for larger containers with 12 or more products. The products are, for example, beverage products, which can in principle have any type of packaging, e.g., bottles. The preferred products are beverage bottles made of a flexible material, e.g., plastic.Such beverage packaging is somewhat deformable, so that it can be slightly compressed by the sleeve and thus preferably form a firm, tensioned bond in the container with the sleeve.

[0012] The packaging material is provided in step a). If necessary, step a) can be split into two parts, so that the actual provision of the packaging material takes place first in step a1), in which, for example, the openings or the pattern are introduced into the packaging material. Subsequently, in step a2), the packaging material is brought into contact with the product container so that the packaging material rests against the container in certain areas and is then (starting from the area adjacent to the container) moved from the top to the top of the container according to step b) and folded around the container (as a whole) according to step c).

[0013] The order of steps a) to d) of the procedure is generally based on the order a), b), c), and d). However, in practice, the order may deviate from this. In particular, steps b) and c) may be performed entirely or partially overlapping, simultaneously, or even in reverse order.

[0014] The container preferably has an upper side from which step b) is carried out and a lower side opposite the upper side as well as side regions which form (imaginary) side surfaces of the container between the upper side and the lower side.

[0015] The method discloses a way of securely packaging containers of products that taper towards the top. The invention replaces, in particular, shrink packaging made of plastic. The method produces a sleeve. A side fold for completely wrapping the products in the container can be dispensed with. When the packaging material is folded around the container in step c), preferably only two side areas of the container are covered with packaging material, so that the sleeve is formed below the top side in the packaging plane on the underside and on two side areas of the container. The sleeve preferably completely surrounds or encloses a cross-section of the container.

[0016] In step b), the tapered sections of the products are inserted into the packaging material in a form-fitting manner. The packaging material is therefore preferably moved not only toward the top, but also below the top to the described packaging level, where the container is deposited below the top. This not only secures the products in the container, but also stabilizes the packaging material or the sleeve made of packaging material, because the tapered sections in the openings prevent any relative movement of the sleeve to the container.

[0017] The packaging level is positioned at a distance from the top of the products in the container that is sufficiently large to prevent the tapered sections of the products from undesirably coming loose from the openings in the packaging material. For example, the packaging level can be positioned more than 0.5 centimeters or more than 1 cm below the top. These values are only examples. However, the packaging level is preferably positioned between the top and bottom of the container such that it is closer to the top than to the bottom. This improves the fixation of the products by the sleeve.

[0018] Connecting packing material sections of the packing material preferably comprises forming a connection between a packing material section at one end of the packing material of the sleeve and a packing material section on an opposite packing material section of the sleeve. The connection is preferably an adhesive connection. Other connections can also be used, for example (positive-locking) plug-in connections if corresponding plug-in connection elements are formed on the packing material sections, or welded connections in which the packing material sections are welded together. Whenever the following refers to connections between packing material sections and other materials, all of the connection techniques discussed here are generally applicable.

[0019] The products of the container, arranged side by side, are provided for the process in a base tray which surrounds the products on a bottom side of the container opposite the top side of the container.

[0020] A base tray preferably has a base with a length and a width. The length and width of the base are preferably each a multiple of the length and width of a product.

[0021] The base tray has a base and a rim. The rim completely surrounds the base and prevents products from slipping out of the base tray.

[0022] The products are arranged in a product arrangement of rows in the base tray. The product height is preferably significantly greater than the height of the rim. The rim preferably only forms a lower border for the products. The height of the rim is preferably less than 30 percent, particularly preferably even less than 20 percent of the product height. The base tray also preferably has a longer long side with a length and a shorter wide side with a width. The sleeve is preferably folded around the long side. This allows particularly good stability of the container with the sleeve to be achieved.

[0023] The sleeve is designed so that the cuff extends around the container below the base tray. In some designs, it is not necessary for the container to have a direct connection between the sleeve and the base tray to ensure stability. The products that extend through the openings in the sleeve fix the base tray and the sleeve relative to one another, thus achieving container stability. The edge of the base tray prevents products from slipping sideways out of the container. At the same time, the sleeve can be easily separated from the container. In other designs, however, it is also possible to create at least one connection between the base tray and the packaging material to further increase stability.

[0024] In further design variants, the packing material of the sleeve can also be connected to the edge of the base tray or to the base of the base tray in lateral areas of the base tray. If necessary, the packing material can then be interrupted in the area of the base tray, so that the sleeve is formed by the base tray at least on the underside. Preferably, two packing material sections are then connected to the edge at the ends of the packing material forming the sleeve, each on the long sides. If necessary, the packing material can also be placed in sections around an edge between the edge and base of the sleeve and (additionally or alternatively) connected to the base. This relieves the strain on the formed connection.

[0025] The process is particularly advantageous when the products in the container are already made available for the process in the described base tray. Stabilizing the products to the base tray (e.g., with adhesive dots) is not necessary thanks to the use of a base tray with a rim.

[0026] It is also advantageous if the process is carried out using a wrapping machine that wraps a large number of containers into sleeves in the manner of a series production.

[0027] Particularly preferably, the packaging material is provided as a continuous material from a roll. Preferably, the method comprises an additional step e): e) separating the sleeve from the continuous material.

[0028] The separation of the sleeve or a section of the packaging material forming the sleeve may take place at a suitable time before, after or during the execution of the other process steps a) to d) of the process.

[0029] The packaging material is a fiber-based packaging material, namely kraft paper.

[0030] In principle, paper with a maximum weight of less than 200 g / m 2 < [grams per square meter] is preferred as packaging material for the process described. The maximum weight of the packaging material is preferably less than 150 g / m 2 < or even less than 120 g / m 2 < . In principle, the heavier the total weight of the container, the stronger the packaging material should be. For containers with a total weight of up to 6 kg [kilograms], for example, kraft paper with a weight of approximately 120 g / m 2 < is preferred. For containers with a total weight of up to 3 kg [kilograms], for example, kraft paper with a weight of approximately 80 g / m 2 < is preferred.

[0031] The base tray is made of a thicker material than the sleeve, namely cardboard or, if necessary, multi-layer cardboard with corrugated layers. Preferably, the base tray is also made of a fiber-based packaging material. The material of the base tray particularly preferably has a weight of, for example, more than 200 g / m². A possible upper limit for the weight of the base tray material is, for example, 400 g / m². The base tray is preferably additionally stabilized by the formation of the sleeve, so that the described method allows the use of thinner or lighter base trays than is the case with other solutions.

[0032] Kraft paper is a high-strength paper. It consists of almost 100% cellulose fibers. Other additives include starch, alum, and / or glue.

[0033] Long-fiber raw materials, such as long-fiber softwoods (e.g., spruce, pine), are particularly used as raw materials for the production of fiber-based packaging materials. Straw from recycled products with appropriate properties can also be used as a raw material for the production of fiber-based packaging materials. Recycled paper may also contain shorter fibers that may have been damaged during the recycling process. Damaged fibers reduce strength. Preferably, the fiber-based packaging material contains no (or minimal) fillers.

[0034] The extraction of pulp or pulp fibers for the fiber-based packaging material from wood is preferably carried out using the sulfate process.

[0035] A further improvement is achieved by refining the pulp. This process causes so-called fibrils to splice from the fiber surface, interlocking with each other and creating cross-linking. The achievable strength increases significantly at the beginning of the refining process, but then levels off.

[0036] Kraft paper is produced up to a grammage of 120 g / m². Paper with a higher grammage is called kraftliner; it is used as cardboard or as a component of corrugated board.

[0037] It is also advantageous if steps b) and c) are carried out at least partially in a temporally overlapping manner, wherein the packaging material is folded over from a side area around the underside and the top side, wherein the packaging material is moved in a temporally overlapping manner from the top to the top side of the container according to step b).

[0038] Particularly preferably, the underside and the top side of the container with the packaging material are folded over parallel to one another, with step b) then preferably being carried out simultaneously with the folding over of the top side.

[0039] It is also advantageous if the packaging material with the pattern of openings is moved in step b) starting from a first side region with a changing angle towards the top, so that initially tapered sections of products of the package in the vicinity of the first side region are encompassed by openings and then tapered sections of the other products of the package, so that after step b) all tapered sections in the packaging plane are encompassed by openings.

[0040] In a product arrangement in the container, the products are preferably arranged in rows, with a first row forming the first side region, while a last row forms the second side region, with further rows of products optionally arranged in between. Preferably, the tapered sections of the products are enclosed by the packaging material or the openings of the packaging material, starting from the first row, in one row after the other, with the packaging material finally being fully positioned in the packaging plane.

[0041] Furthermore, it is advantageous if, before step b), the packaging material is first brought into a starting position with a holder above the upper side in such a way that the openings in the pattern are aligned according to the tapered sections of the products in the container and then the openings are moved evenly from the starting position towards the packaging level.

[0042] This process allows the packaging material or sleeve to be applied evenly to the tapered sections of the individual products. This can be particularly advantageous when the packaging level is at a greater distance from the top surface.

[0043] It is also advantageous if, when the packaging material is wrapped around the container according to step c), displacements occur between a surface of the container and the packaging material which compensate for a movement of the packaging material in step b).

[0044] The surface of the container referred to here is preferably formed by the surfaces of the products arranged in the container.

[0045] Such displacements are particularly advantageous when the holder described above is used for step b). When the holder is removed, more packing material is available on one side, and this packing material is preferentially pulled around the side area and the bottom, thus preferentially displacing it relative to the surface of the container.

[0046] In principle, displacements between the surface of the container or the products arranged in the container can also occur during step c) in order to pull the packaging material or the sleeve tight around the products and thus achieve a high strength of the container.

[0047] It is further advantageous if the shape and position of the openings in the pattern of the packaging material correspond at least partially to the shape and position of cross-sectional areas of the tapered sections of the products in the packaging plane.

[0048] Preferably, the packing material or sleeve is pulled down onto a conical area of the tapered sections, whereby the packing material or openings are tightly wrapped around the tapered sections.

[0049] Furthermore, it is advantageous if deviations of the shape and position of the openings in the pattern of the packaging material from the shape and position of the cross-sectional areas of the tapered sections of the products in the packaging plane are provided, which improve the folding of the packaging material around the top.

[0050] This is particularly advantageous if the packaging material is brought in step b) with a changing angle towards the top and into the packaging plane.

[0051] To ensure reliable feeding of the packaging material into the packaging plane, it may be advantageous to design the tapered sections not with a completely form-fitting shape, but rather with a slightly larger opening in the direction of the open angle. This makes threading the tapered sections of the products easier. The openings can, for example, be oval.

[0052] Generally speaking, the larger the cutouts, the less stable the products are in the container. However, tests have shown that strapping the products around the container without a completely form-fitting fit provides sufficient stability to hold the products securely in the container, especially if the sleeve is pulled taut or tightly around the container.

[0053] The size of the required openings depends largely on the angle used for step b).

[0054] It is particularly preferred if the openings for step a) are produced in a wrapping machine for carrying out the described method immediately before step b).

[0055] It is also advantageous if the openings for step a) are formed by incomplete punching out of the packaging material, so that flaps connected to the further packaging material are formed in the area of the openings, which flaps also remain connected to the sleeve after step d).

[0056] This prevents punched-out sections of the packaging material from accumulating in the wrapping machine, which could potentially cause problems there.

[0057] It is further advantageous if the packaging material is provided in step a) as a blank which is moved in step b) with a feed tool from above to the top of the container, wherein in step c) at least two side sections of the packaging material are folded over at least two side areas of the container adjacent to the top.

[0058] Pre-cut pieces of the packaging material can also be produced, in particular, within a wrapping machine used for the described method, especially before performing step a). The use of pre-cut pieces may have advantages for performing the described method. In particular, wrapping the packaging material around the bundle may be easier with pre-cut pieces of the packaging material.

[0059] Blanks can be brought into the packaging plane, in particular using a feeding tool, starting from the top side. If necessary, the feeding tool can have a central area with recesses that can accommodate the tapered sections of the products. If necessary, additional forming sections can be provided with which the packaging material can be shaped in the area between the openings in order to improve the formation of the sleeve. In addition, the feeding tool can have guide legs with which the packaging material can be reshaped, starting from the top side, in order to form side regions of the packaging. The processing of blanks is particularly advantageous if the sleeve is partially formed by the base tray, as described above, or if packaging material sections are connected to the base tray in step d).Preferably, the forming sections also support the formation of connections between the packaging material and the base tray, for example by pressing the packaging material onto the base tray by the forming sections.

[0060] Also to be described here is a wrapping machine for producing sleeves from a packaging material around bundles of products arranged next to one another, wherein the wrapping machine is set up to carry out the described method.

[0061] It should be noted that the particular advantages and design features described in connection with the method described above are also applicable and transferable to the wrapping machine described.

[0062] The wrapping machine preferably has a feeder via which prefabricated containers with products in the intended product arrangement and optionally with a base tray arranged thereon are fed. The packaging material is preferably fed to the wrapping machine as continuous material from a roll. Optionally, the wrapping machine has a pattern punch with which the pattern of openings is introduced into the packaging material. Particularly preferably, the wrapping machine has a wrapping station in which the sleeve made of packaging material is placed around the container and a connecting station in which the connection of packaging material sections is formed to close the sleeve. The wrapping machine preferably also has a supply station at which the finished containers with the sleeve are provided.

[0063] Also to be described here is a bundle of products arranged next to one another with a sleeve made of a packaging material, wherein the products each have a tapered section towards an upper side of the bundle and wherein the sleeve has openings in the packaging material which are placed around the tapered sections of the products of the bundle in such a way that the openings in the packaging material each enclose the tapered sections in a packaging level below the upper side of the bundle. In particular, the products are arranged within the bundle in a base tray, as described above in connection with the method. The base tray preferably forms the packaging of the bundle together with the sleeve.

[0064] It should be noted that the special advantages and design features described in connection with the method and wrapping machine described above are all also applicable and transferable to the container described.

[0065] The container is particularly preferred if it has been manufactured according to the described method.

[0066] The invention and the technical context of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show preferred embodiments to which the invention is not limited. It should be noted in particular that the figures, and in particular the proportions shown in the figures, are only schematic. They show: Fig. 1: a method for providing a sleeve around a container according to the prior art; Fig. 2: an embodiment of the described method; Figs. 3a to 3c: various variants of a packaging material for the described method; Fig. 4: a base tray for a container; Fig. 5: schematically a wrapping machine for carrying out the described method; Fig. 6: a further embodiment of the described method; and Figs. 7a to 7d: yet another embodiment of the described method.

[0067] In Fig. 1 First, a method for forming a container 1 with a sleeve 3 according to the prior art is shown. The container 1 comprises a plurality of products 2, which are preferably arranged in a base tray 23 that surrounds the products 2 on the underside 10. It can be seen how, in step i), the packaging material 4 is brought up to the container 1 consisting of products 2 with a tapered section 6 (for example, bottles) and, in step ii), is brought into contact with the container 1. Subsequently, in step iii), the packaging material 4 is placed around the container 1, so that, in step iv), a sleeve 3 is formed. Preferably, at the end (step iv), a connection 24 is formed with two sections 13 of the packaging material 4, for example an adhesive connection.

[0068] Based on Fig. 2 The method described here will now be explained. Step a) is divided into the two sub-steps a1) and a2). The packaging material 4 is first provided. The packaging material 4 has a pattern 7 of openings 8 (not shown here), which is matched to the shape of the tapered sections 6 of the products 2 and the arrangement of the products 2 in the container 1. The packaging material 4 with the pattern 7 of openings 8 is subsequently Fig. 3a bis 3c explained in detail.

[0069] In sub-step a1), the packaging material 4 is brought to the container 1 and, in step a2), is brought into contact with the container 1. Here, too, the container 1 comprises a plurality of products 2 arranged in a base tray 23 that surrounds the products 2 on a bottom side 10. On the top side 5 of the container 1 or the products 2 opposite the bottom side 10, the products 2 each have tapered sections 6. The products 2 are, for example, bottles, and the tapered sections 6 are, for example, the bottle necks of the bottles.

[0070] Steps b) and c) are carried out at least partially together. The packaging material 4 is folded around the container 1. On the upper side 5 of the container 1, the packaging material 4 with the openings 8 then wraps around the tapered sections 6 of the products 2. The tapered sections 6 of the products 2 penetrate the packaging material 4 at the openings 8. Preferably, the packaging material 4 rests against a first side region 11 of the container 1 or against the products 2 arranged on the first side region 11 of the container 1 and, starting from there, is wrapped around the container 1 at a changing angle 16. Starting from the first side region 11, one row of openings 8 in the packaging material 4 is arranged one after the other around the tapered sections 6 of the products 2, which are each formed corresponding to the openings 8 in the packaging material 4. The angle 16 becomes smaller and smaller until ultimately all the tapered sections 6 of the products 2 are encompassed by the packaging material 4.The packaging material 4 is then arranged in the packaging level 9 located below the top side 5 of the container 1.

[0071] When step b) is completed and the packaging material 4 completely surrounds the tapered sections 6 in the packaging plane 9, the packaging material 4 is preferably folded even further around the container 1 or the products 2 (in particular also around a second side region 12), so that a circumferentially surrounding sleeve 3 is produced, which preferably also encompasses the base tray 23. The sleeve 3 preferably surrounds the products 2 of the container 1 in the packaging plane 9, in a first side region 11, in a second side region 12 and on an underside 10. The upper side 5 of the container 1 preferably lies outside the sleeve 3. Packaging material sections 13 of the packaging material 4 are preferably connected to one another and / or to the base tray 23 in order to close the sleeve. This takes place in step d). The connection 24 here is preferably an adhesive connection, a welded connection or another connection 24.

[0072] The Fig. 3a bis 3c now show various designs of the packaging material 4 used to carry out the described method. The packaging material 4 preferably has a pattern 7 of openings 8 that is matched to the shape and arrangement of the products in the container. The packaging material 4 can be provided directly with the pattern 7 of openings 8, or the pattern 7 of openings 8 can be introduced onto a wrapping machine for carrying out the described method immediately before step a) of the method.

[0073] According to Fig. 3a The pattern 7 of the openings 8 is formed exactly according to the shape and arrangement of the tapered sections 6 of the products 2. Each opening 8 fits exactly around the cross-sectional area 20 of the tapered section 6 in the packaging plane 9.

[0074] According to Fig. 3b the pattern 7 of the openings 8 is slightly adjusted. In particular, the openings 8 are designed to be elongated. This simplifies the placement of the openings 8 around the tapered sections 6 with an angle 16, as shown in Fig. 2 As shown, the angle 16 slightly increases the space required by the tapered sections 6 in the direction of the opening 8 of the angle. This space requirement can be reduced by the elongated or oval shape of the openings 8 according to Fig. 3b At the same time, it has been found that even with this design, the openings 8 still fit well enough around the tapered sections 6, so that the products 2 are sufficiently fixed in the packaging.

[0075] Fig. 3c shows yet another embodiment in which the openings 8 are each realized by a punched-out portion 21 which does not completely separate the material of the packaging material 4 in the region of the openings 8 from the other packaging material 4, but remains connected. This forms a type of flap 22 which is opened when the packaging material 4 is placed in the packaging plane 9. This embodiment is particularly suitable if the openings 8 are made in the packaging material 4 immediately before carrying out the described method in a wrapping machine 14, because then the punching does not produce any waste which has to be removed from the wrapping machine 14.

[0076] Fig. 4 shows, by way of example, a base tray 23 for a described container 1. The base tray 23 has a base 37 and an edge 40. The products 2 are arranged in a product arrangement 42 of rows 43 in the base tray 23. The product arrangement 42 and the rows 43 are shown schematically here. A product 2 is also shown schematically. A product height 44 of the products 2 is preferably significantly greater than the height 41 of the edge 40. The edge 40 preferably forms only a lower border of the products 2. Preferably, the height 41 of the edge 40 is less than 30 percent, particularly preferably even less than 20 percent of the product height 44. The base tray 23 furthermore preferably has a longer longitudinal side with a length 38 and a shorter width side with a width 39.

[0077] The Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a wrapping machine 14 for carrying out the described method. Prepared containers 1 of products 2 (which may already be arranged in base trays 23 not shown separately here) are fed to the wrapping machine 14 at a feeder 25. The packaging material 4 is provided here as continuous material 15 from a roll (step a). The patterns 7 of openings 8 required for carrying out method step b) may already be provided in the packaging material 4. In variant embodiments, the wrapping machine 14 also has a pattern punch 36 with which the pattern 7 of openings 8 is introduced into the packaging material 4. Subsequently, the packaging material 4 is placed around the tapered sections 6 of the products 2 according to step b), starting from the top side 5, so that it is arranged in the packaging plane 9 (as described above) and rests against the products 2.In the embodiment shown very schematically here, the packaging material 4 is guided over deflection rollers 33 in a wrapping station 34 of the wrapping machine 14 and the bundle 1 with the products 2 is moved towards the packaging material 4 with the pattern 7 of openings 8 in order to carry out step b). A multitude of other embodiments of step b) and a wrapping station 34 are possible. Subsequently, the section of the packaging material 4 which is required to form the sleeve 3 on the bundle 1 is separated from the endless material 15 and the bundle 1 passes into a connecting station 35 in which the wrapping of the packaging material 4 around the bundle 1 is preferably finalized and packaging material sections 13 of the packaging material 4 are glued together in order to form the sleeve 3. Finished bundles 1 with the sleeve 3 made of packaging material 4 are now provided at a supply station 26.

[0078] According to Fig. 6 Another variant of the process is shown. In Fig. 6 The description of the procedure described is basically in accordance with Fig. 2 structured, so that here we first refer to the explanations of the Fig. 2 and then discusses differences. According to Fig. 6 From step a) or from the sub-steps a1) and a2) shown separately here, a holder 17 is used, with which the packaging material 4 is initially brought into a starting position 18 above the top side 5 of the container 1 according to step c). In this case, the packaging material 4 is already partially folded around the container 1. Step c) begins in this embodiment of the method in the third partial sketch of the Fig. 6 . As soon as the packaging material 4 is in the starting position 18 such that the openings 8 in the packaging material 4 are arranged axially above the tapered sections 6 of the products 2, the packaging material 4 is guided with the holder 17 onto the tapered sections 6. This takes place in step b), which is shown here in the last partial sketch of Fig. 6 takes place. Due to the movement of the packaging material 4 relative to the container 1 in step b), it is regularly necessary to move the packaging material 4, even after step b) or parallel to step b), at least in sections relative to the surface 19 of the container 1 in order to achieve a taut contact of the sleeve 3 against the container 1. The surface 19 is indicated by dashed lines in the third partial sketch. When the holder 17 with the packaging material 4 brought into the starting position 18 is moved downwards, an excess of material is created, which is pulled around the underside 10 of the container 1. In the last partial sketch of Fig. 6 Step d) is also shown, according to which a connection of packaging material sections 13 of the packaging material 4 takes place to form a connection 24.

[0079] According to the Fig. 7a bis 7d Another variant of the described method is shown.

[0080] For this variant, blanks 27 of the packaging material 4 with the pattern 7 of openings 8 are provided. This step a) is in Fig. 7a shown. The blanks 27 are provided with a feed tool 28. The feed tool 28 has a central region 30, which serves to arrange a section of the packaging material 4 with the pattern 7 of openings 9 above the top side 5 of the container 1 with the tapered sections 6 of the products 2. The feed tool 28 preferably has guide legs 29 with which the packaging material 4 can be placed around the products 2 of the container 1. The feed tool 28 preferably also has forming sections 31 in the central region 30 with which the packaging material 4 can be pressed around the tapered sections 6 of the products 2.

[0081] In Fig. 7b Step c) of the method is shown. Using the feed tool 28, the blank 27 of the packaging material 4 is moved according to step b) towards the top side 5 of the container 1 in such a way that openings 8 in the packaging material 4 are placed around the tapered sections 6 of the products 2 of the container 1 in such a way that the openings 8 of the packaging material 4 each encompass the tapered sections 6 in a packaging plane 9 below the top side 5 of the container 1.

[0082] In Fig. 7c Step c) of the method is shown. The guide legs 29 are folded over in order to apply the packaging material 4 to the side areas 11, 12 of the bundle 1 or to form side sections 32 arranged there. Connections 24 can now be formed in packaging material sections 13 of the packaging material 4 or the blank 27 of the packaging material 4 in order to close the sleeve 3. This corresponds to step d) and is also shown in Fig. 7c . It is also shown here that the connections 24 do not connect the packaging material sections 13 to one another, but are each formed with the base shell 23. Thus, the base shell 23 forms part of the sleeve 3, and a smaller blank 27 of the packaging material 4 can be used.

[0083] In Fig. 7d It also shows how the feed tool 28 is moved away from the container 1 with the sleeve 3 once the process is complete. Here, the details of the feed tool 28 with the central area 30 with forming sections 31 and with the guide legs 29 can be seen in even greater detail. List of reference symbols

[0084] 1 bundle 2 product 3 sleeve 4 packaging material 5 top 6 tapered section 7 pattern 8 opening 9 packaging level 10 bottom 11 first side area 12 second side area 13 packaging material sections 14 wrapping machine 15 continuous material 16 angle 17 holder 18 home position 19 surface 20 cross-sectional area 21 punching 22 flap 23 bottom tray 24 joint 25 feeding 26 provision 27 cutting 28 feeding tool 29 guide leg 30 central area 31 forming section 32 side section 33 deflection rollers 34 wrapping station 35 joint station 36 pattern punch 37 bottom 38 length 39 width 40 edge 41 height 42 product arrangement 43 rows 44 product height

Claims

1. Method for wrapping products (2), which are arranged next to one another in a package (1), in a sleeve (3) made of a packaging material (4), the products (2) each having at least one tapered portion (6) toward an upper face (5) of the package (1), and the method comprising at least the following steps: a) providing the packaging material (4) which has a pattern (7) of openings (8) which matches the shape of the tapered portions (6) of the products (2) and the arrangement of the products (2) in the package (1), the products (2) of the package (1) arranged next to one another being provided for the method in a base tray (23) surrounding the products (2) on a lower face (10) of the package (1), which is opposite the upper face (5) of the package (1), the base tray having a bottom and a rim, the rim extending completely around the bottom; b) moving the packaging material (4), which has the pattern (7) of openings (8), from above toward the upper face (5) of the package (1) such that the openings (8) in the packaging material (4) are placed around the tapered portions (6) of the products (2) of the package (1) such that the openings (8) in the packaging material (4) each encompass the tapered portions (6) in a packaging plane (9) which is below the upper face (5) of the package (1); c) wrapping the packaging material (4) around the package (1) such that a sleeve (3) is formed surrounding the package (1) and the base tray (23); and d) connecting packaging material portions (13) of the packaging material (4) in order to close the sleeve (3), the base tray (23) being made of cardboard, characterized in that the packaging material (4) is a fiber-based kraft paper (4).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the method is carried out using a wrapping machine (14) which wraps a plurality of packages (1) in sleeves (3) in the manner of a series production.

3. Method according to either of the preceding claims, wherein steps b) and c) are carried out at least partially in a temporally overlapping manner, wherein, starting from a side region (11, 12), the packaging material (4) is wrapped around the lower face (10) and the upper face (5), wherein, temporally overlapping therewith, the packaging material (4) is moved from above toward the upper face (5) of the package (1) in accordance with step b).

4. Method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein in step b), the packaging material (4), which has the pattern (7) of openings (8), is moved from a first side region (11) toward the upper face (5) with a changing angle (16), so that tapered portions (6) of products (2) of the package (1) in the vicinity of the first side region (11) are encompassed by openings (8) first, and tapered portions (6) of the further products (2) of the package (1) are subsequently encompassed, so that after step b), all tapered portions (6) in the packaging plane (9) are encompassed by openings (8).

5. Method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein, before step b), the packaging material (4) is first brought into a starting position (18) with a holder (17) above the upper face (5), such that the openings (8) in the pattern (7) are aligned with the tapered portions (6) of the products (2) in the package (1), and the openings (8) are subsequently moved uniformly from the starting position (18) toward the packaging plane (9).

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, when the packaging material (4) is wrapped around the package (1) in accordance with to step c), shifts occur between a surface (19) of the package (1) and the packaging material (4), which compensate for a movement of the packaging material (4) in step b).

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shape and the position of the openings (8) in the pattern (7) of the packaging material (4) at least partially correspond to the shape and the position of cross-sectional areas (20) of the tapered portions (6) of the products (2) in the packaging plane (9).

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein deviations of the shape and the position of the openings (8) in the pattern (7) of the packaging material (4) from the shape and the position of the cross-sectional areas (20) of the tapered portions (6) of the products (2) in the packaging plane (9) are provided, which deviations improve the wrapping of the packaging material (4) around the upper face (5).

9. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging material (4) is provided in step a) as a blank (27) which, in step b), is moved from above toward the upper face (5) of the package (1) using a feed tool (23), wherein, in step c), at least two side portions (32) of the packaging material (4) are wrapped around at least two side regions (11, 12) of the package (1) which are adjacent to the upper face (5).

10. Wrapping machine (14) for producing sleeves (3) from a packaging material (4) in order to produce packages (1) from products (2) arranged next to one another, wherein the wrapping machine (14) is designed to carry out the method according to any of claims 1 to 9.

11. Package (1) of products (2) arranged next to one another, which was produced in accordance with a method according to any of claims 1 to 9, comprising a sleeve (3) made of a packaging material (4), wherein the products (2) each have a tapered portion (6) toward an upper face (5) of the package (1), and wherein the sleeve (3) has openings (8) in the packaging material (4), which are placed around the tapered portions (6) of the products (2) of the package (1) such that the openings (8) of the packaging material (4) each encompass the tapered portions (6) in a packaging plane (9) which is below the upper face (5) of the package (1).

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