Application tool and method for applying outer packages during the production of packaging units

Abstract

An application tool (32) of a packaging machine for producing packaging units (36) and a method for producing packaging units (36) are disclosed, which packaging units (36) are formed by joining at least one packaging blank (10) to a plurality of articles (12). The application tool (32) is placed on an upper face of an article grouping (14). A packaging blank (10) is placed onto an upper face of the articles (12) and is subjected there to a joining force. After the packaging blank (10) has been applied, a punch unit (34) assigned to the application device, and able to be placed together with the latter onto the article grouping (14), presses with an additional joining force onto the upper faces of the ready articles (12) in order to fully connect the packaging blank (10) to the articles (12).

Description

[0001] Application tool and method for applying outer packaging in the production of packaging units

[0002] The present invention relates to an application tool of a packaging machine for producing packaging units and to a method for producing packaging units which are formed by assembling at least one packaging blank with several articles.

[0003] Beverage cans, along with bottles and beverage cartons, are one of the most important forms of retail packaging for beverages. They can also serve as drinking vessels. Beverage cans are primarily used for carbonated beverages such as canned beer and soft drinks such as colas, all types of lemonade, and energy drinks. Beverage cans are typically opened for consumption using tear tabs on the lid.

[0004] There are different types of packaging for the processing, assembly, grouping, and packaging of items such as beverage containers in the form of bottles or cans. One suitable type of packaging is to combine the items or containers into portable, relatively manageable bundles, which can generally also be considered packaging units. Here, too, various options are known for combining individual bottles or cans into larger bundles.

[0005] Packaging in the form of shrink wraps or the use of so-called strapping is particularly well known.

[0006] Furthermore, the use of so-called upper grip carton packaging is known for grouping together a plurality of articles, such as beverage containers, in particular bottles or cans, via their neck regions. A packaging machine for applying such upper grip carton packaging is disclosed, for example, in EP 1 075419 B1. Here, the articles are arranged in a box, and the grip carton packaging is placed from above onto the at least one article arranged in the box. In particular, a plurality of articles are arranged in the box, and by placing a smaller number of upper grip carton packaging on top, subgroups are formed, each of which groups together a portion of the articles arranged in the box.

[0007] Many of these well-known gripper carton packagings use flexibly deformable packaging blanks, which, however, cannot always secure the combined cans in the desired stable arrangement. If no additional packaging materials such as shrink wrap, strapping, or the like are to be used, the necessary stability can be achieved by using stiffer packaging blanks. However, this often fails due to the required joining forces, which usually cannot be applied with the available packaging tools.

[0008] In view of the identified disadvantages of known packaging units, the primary objective of the invention can be considered to provide packaging units that are as stable as possible using packaging blanks that can be manufactured with sufficient reliability. Furthermore, a method for producing such stable packaging units is to be provided.

[0009] The stated objectives of the invention are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Features of advantageous developments of the invention can be found in the respective dependent claims.

[0010] To achieve at least partial aspects of the aforementioned objectives, the present invention proposes an application tool for a packaging machine used to produce packaging units. These packaging units are each produced by joining at least one packaging blank to several articles, in particular by joining articles of the same type. The application tool according to the invention comprises at least one application device that can be placed on an upper side of an article grouping, which carries a packaging blank on its underside and can place this onto an upper side of the articles to be equipped with the at least one packaging blank, where it can exert a first joining force in a direction parallel to the vertical longitudinal center axes of the articles.Furthermore, the application tool comprises a stamping unit which is assigned to the application device and which can be placed together with the application device on the article grouping, which stamping unit, after the packaging blank has been applied and in a state of the application device placed on the articles, presses onto the upper side of the provided articles with a second joining force in order to completely connect the packaging blank to the articles.

[0011] The application tool can, in particular, have a flat, bowl-like, or bell-like attachment with openings for the stamping unit. The stamping unit preferably extends through the flat or bell-like attachment of the application tool and can thus create the second connections by exerting a defined joining force on the packaging blank.

[0012] The second connections are produced in particular by exerting a defined joining or application force on the packaging blank, so that the mentioned second connections between the packaging blank and the articles are thereby produced, wherein the second connections formed after the first connections integrate the first connections.

[0013] The two-stage joining process can be performed, in particular, with a single tool that operates in two stages and in which two joining areas engage with each other. Alternatively, however, the two-stage joining process can also be performed with two tools used one after the other, operating in two stages and forming the two joining areas in chronological order.

[0014] Regardless of the tool used, the weaker first connections are formed first, followed by the stronger second connections, i.e. in chronological order, whereby the second connections contain the first connections and strengthen them.

[0015] Both the first and second connections can be formed by snap-in connections. Thus, the connections can be formed between prepared openings or perforations within a main surface of the packaging blank and edge sections of the articles, for example, with a flanged edge of the articles formed by cans.

[0016] Preferably, the packaging blank can be deformed during production of the first connections, in particular by being warped. In this case, the openings or perforations in the packaging blank are only partially connected to the edge sections of the articles or cans, i.e. they are only partially pressed over the edge sections and only partially locked into place. For this reason, it is particularly useful to produce packs of four, six, or eight in the manner described. In principle, however, the application tool can also be used to produce individual rows of two, three, four, or five articles arranged in an aligned row, provided that the side edges are first locked into place and then the middle section of the row is pressed down.

[0017] During the production of the second connections, the initially warped packaging blank is returned to a flat shape, and the openings are fully engaged with the edge sections of the articles or cans. Thus, during the production of the second connections, the packaging blank is preferably reshaped and the warping is leveled, with the openings of the packaging blank being fully connected to the edge sections of the articles or cans. This can specifically mean that the openings are pressed completely over the edge sections and fully engaged with them.

[0018] In addition to the application tool explained in various embodiments, the invention further proposes a method for producing packaging units to achieve the stated objectives, wherein these packaging units are formed by assembling at least one packaging blank with several, in particular similar, articles.

[0019] According to the invention, the method provides at least the method steps explained below. First, a defined number of articles are prepared that are to be equipped with the at least one packaging blank. These articles are prepared in a predetermined number and in a predetermined, particularly geometric, arrangement relative to one another. For this purpose, predefined article groups are generally formed and prepared for the application of a packaging blank.

[0020] This packaging blank can then be placed and applied to the provided articles. The packaging blank is preferably placed on the exposed upper end faces of the provided articles, thereby forming initial connections between defined sections of the packaging blank and defined areas of the articles. The packaging blank is thus already in a connection with the articles that is normally still easily removable when defined joining or application forces are subsequently exerted on the packaging blank attached to the articles via the initial connections.By exerting the defined joining or application forces, second connections are formed between the packaging blank and the articles, whereby it is provided that the second connections formed after the first connections integrate or contain the previously formed first connections.

[0021] Thus, in the application method according to the invention, the normally weaker first connections are formed first, followed by the stronger second connections, i.e., in chronological order. The method is characterized in that the second connections contain and strengthen the first connections. When reference is made to weaker first connections in this context, this primarily refers to the holding or adhesive forces between the article grouping and the packaging blank, which exhibit less resistance to detachment of the first connections than the fully formed packaging unit with the first and second connections.When, in this context, stronger second connections are mentioned, this primarily means the holding or adhesive forces between the article grouping and the packaging blank, which, compared to the still unfinished packaging unit with the first connections, show a significantly higher resistance to loosening of the second connections containing and integrating the first connections.

[0022] The packaging blank used in the method according to the invention for producing packaging units formed by a plurality of combined articles can, in particular, consist of a relatively rigid material that can only be deformed by applying defined joining forces. While conventional packaging blanks can often consist of flexible cardboard materials, the packaging blank used here, which can be formed, for example, from cellulose-containing material, rigid cardboard material, or similar recycled material, is comparatively rigid, so that it cannot be joined to the respective article groups in a single application step as easily as a conventional packaging blank, but requires significantly greater joining forces.For this reason, the method according to the invention can provide a two-stage application process with the formation of the first bonds described here and subsequently formed second bonds. In this way, even very rigid packaging materials can be processed with acceptable joining forces, which also has the advantage of protecting articles that are easily deformed and should therefore preferably be subjected to only limited joining forces.

[0023] Optionally, the first connections can be formed by snap-in connections between the articles of the provided article groups and the packaging blank placed on them. In this case, the second connections are also logically formed by snap-in connections, especially since the second connections contain, integrate, and, in particular, reinforce the first connections. Thus, the first connections can be used to perform an initial pre-locking, whereby this first connection can still be released relatively easily, while the second connections can represent a complete locking into the final state of the finished packaging unit, which can only be released again with greater force.

[0024] Thus, the first joining forces for forming the first connections, which are created immediately during or after the packaging blanks are placed on the provided articles, are weaker than the subsequent joining forces with which the second connections are formed and the packaging units are completed.

[0025] The first and second connections can, for example, be formed between prepared openings within a main surface of the packaging blank and edge sections such as a circumferential upper flanged edge of the article formed by cans. Known beverage cans made of sheet metal generally have a deep-drawn cylindrical body for holding the liquid or beverage, as well as a flat lid attached to the top and connected in a liquid-tight manner. The flat lid can also be provided with a tear-off tab and the associated tear-off opening. The circular lid, which initially slightly protrudes above the upper edge of the cylindrical can body, can be fixed there in an adhesive and liquid-tight manner, in particular with a flanged connection.

[0026] Since the upper, circumferential flanged edge of such known beverage cans slightly protrudes beyond the adjacent surface below it, a stepped shoulder with a diameter change is located there, which is suitable for connecting the beverage cans forming the articles of the packaging unit described here to the packaging blank. To interact with the upper flanged edge of the cans, the packaging blank can be equipped, in particular, with circular openings into which the cans can be snapped. In the case of a packaging blank that is closed at the top, corresponding receptacles can also be provided in a tray-like inner side of the lid, into which the beverage cans can be snapped with their upper flanged edges.

[0027] Similar connections can also be made with plastic bottles, which can optionally form the items of the packaging units described here. Such beverage bottles, often made of PET plastic, usually have a circumferential ring, a so-called neck ring, in the upper neck area below the cap, which can also be used for locking onto packaging blanks. Here, too, the packaging blank with its receptacles or openings is pushed over the upper neck sections of the beverage bottles to be connected and locked onto the neck rings, thus forming the packaging units to be produced.

[0028] During the production of the first connections, the packaging blank is deformed according to a useful process variant, in particular warped, whereby the openings or receptacles of the packaging blank are only partially connected to the edge sections of the articles or beverage cans to be grouped together. This can mean, in particular, that the openings or receptacles of the packaging blank are only partially pressed over the edge sections of the articles or cans and are only partially locked to them. Even if this creates relatively easily detachable connections in which the packaging blank could be removed from the article grouping by reshaping the warping and applying relatively low tensile forces, the first connections can still be produced in this way, which simultaneously provide the preparation for the second connections to be produced subsequently.

[0029] For this reason, it is particularly useful to produce packs of four, six, or eight items with article groups arranged in a rectangular arrangement in the manner described. In principle, however, the process can also be applied to a single row of two, three, four, or five items arranged in an aligned row, provided the side edges are first locked and then the middle section of the row is pressed down. In this case, too, the packaging blank can warp, since not all of the edge sections or lid areas of the items or beverage cans are covered by the receptacles or openings of the packaging blank.During the production of the second connections, the initially warped packaging blank is returned to a flat shape by applying additional joining forces, which are preferably applied from above to the upwardly curved areas of the packaging blank, and the openings are fully engaged with the edge sections of the articles / cans. Thus, the method can provide that during the production of the second connections, the packaging blank is reshaped and the warping is leveled, whereby the openings of the packaging blank are fully connected to the edge sections of the articles / cans, i.e., are pressed completely over the edge sections and fully engaged with them.

[0030] Optionally, the method according to the invention can be provided for the two-stage joining process to be carried out with a single tool which is designed in several parts and operates in two stages, wherein in the tool in particular two joining areas can engage with each other, which are used one after the other to first produce the first connections and then the second connections without changing the tool.

[0031] Alternatively, the two-stage joining process can also be carried out with two tools used one after the other, which work one after the other in a two-stage sequence and can form the two joining areas of the first and second connections between the packaging blank and the article grouping in chronological order.

[0032] The packaging blank is typically made of a rigid material that can only be deformed by applying defined joining forces. This could be cellulose-containing material, rigid cardboard, or similar.

[0033] If, from the point of view of the person skilled in the art, they can be combined with one another in a reasonable manner, some or all of the above-mentioned variations or embodiments of the method according to the invention and / or of the application tool according to the invention can optionally also be combined with one another in order to at least partially achieve the above-formulated objective(s) and / or to achieve the desired effect of the invention.

[0034] It should be expressly mentioned at this point that all aspects and embodiments explained in connection with the application tool according to the invention equally relate to or can form partial aspects of the method according to the invention for producing the packaging units. Therefore, if certain aspects and / or relationships and / or effects are mentioned at any point in the description or in the claim definitions for the application tool according to the invention, this equally applies to the method according to the invention. The same applies in reverse, so that all aspects and embodiments explained in connection with the method according to the invention equally relate to or can be partial aspects of the application tool according to the invention.Therefore, if at one point in the description or in the claim definitions for the method according to the invention certain aspects and / or relationships and / or effects are mentioned, this applies equally to the application tool according to the invention.

[0035] The following explanations summarize some aspects of the invention, which has already been explained in various embodiments, and specify some aspects. However, they should not be seen as contradicting the explanations already made, but rather as a summary, and in case of doubt, possibly as more specific embodiments and / or modifications. Thus, as already mentioned above, the application tool according to the invention can be part of a manipulator for producing packaging units or bundles. These packaging units or bundles are produced by assembling a packaging blank with several similar articles and performing further manipulation steps, as already described above and as will be explained in more detail below using specific embodiments.

[0036] In the method according to the invention, the articles to be equipped with the packaging blank are first provided, preferably in a predetermined number and in a defined, particularly geometric, arrangement relative to one another. Such an article grouping can, for example, comprise a total of six articles arranged in a rectangular arrangement, each of which can be formed, for example, by similar beverage cans.

[0037] For the application of such an article grouping, the packaging blank is normally formed by a flat and relatively rigid rectangular section with a main surface, typically with rounded outer corners and a total of six circular openings located within the flat main surface. A circumferential lateral edge 24 bordering the main surface can optionally be drawn downwards in a roof-like manner, although this is not mandatory.

[0038] Conventional beverage cans can be made, in particular, from sheet metal. They usually have a deep-drawn cylindrical body for holding a liquid or beverage, and a flat can lid attached to the top and sealed in a liquid-tight manner. The lid may also be provided with a tear-off tab and a tear-off opening. The circular can lid, which covers and closes the upper, indented edge of the cylindrical can body, can be adhered there, in particular, with a flanged joint, forming a liquid-tight seal around the entire circumference of the beverage can.

[0039] Since the upper, circumferential flanged edge of such beverage cans slightly extends beyond the adjacent outer surface of the can body, a stepped shoulder with a change in diameter is located directly below the flanged edge. This step is suitable for connecting the beverage cans forming the articles of the packaging unit to the packaging blank. For this purpose, the packaging blank is equipped with the aforementioned circular openings or perforations, which can be created, for example, by punching or other means, in the main surface of the packaging blank.

[0040] The beverage cans can be snapped into place if the cutouts are appropriately dimensioned, which must correspond to the diameters of the flanged edges and, in particular, should be slightly smaller. The arrangement of the cutouts defines the positioning of the articles or beverage cans within the packaging unit to be formed. It is advisable to snap the beverage cans into the cutouts of the packaging blank in such a way that their outer surfaces are in line with each other and are fixed in the desired rectangular arrangement.

[0041] In the method according to the invention, the packaging blank is preferably first placed on top of the article grouping so that the openings are each aligned with the can ends of the beverage cans. Optionally, the packaging blank can already be partially engaged with the flanged edges of the beverage cans, which in the present context is referred to as the formation of first connections. To form this first connection, the application tool according to the invention is normally used, with which a first joining or application force can be applied to the packaging blank when the packaging blank is inserted there, placed on the article grouping by means of the application tool, and pressed with a defined joining force in order to at least partially engage the openings with the flanged edges of the beverage cans.

[0042] The method according to the invention subsequently provides for a complete locking of the apertures with the flanged edges of the beverage cans, for which purpose the application tool is again used. For this purpose, the application tool can, in particular, comprise a stamp insert or the like that presses onto the main surface from above and is located on the inside of the bell-shaped application tool in order to be able to exert an additional joining force on the main surface of the packaging blank when in place, thereby achieving a complete locking of the flanged edges with the apertures in the packaging blank.

[0043] Before and during the application, no second connections are created, where the openings are only partially engaged with the beverage cans of the article grouping, so these second connections are only formed when the stamp insert is pressed on. During the activation of the stamp insert, the packaging blank remains fixed to the article grouping by the application tool.

[0044] Typically, when the packaging blank is placed on the can using the application tool, the packaging blank warps in the central area of ​​its main surface, which is still located above the flanged edges, while the longitudinal edge sections are already located below the flanged edges, since the openings in the outer areas are already partially locked to the flanged edges of the beverage cans.

[0045] Only the additional joining forces, which are applied by the stamp insert to the upwardly curved central area of ​​the main surface of the packaging blank, bring it back into a flat shape, since the openings are now completely pressed over the flanged edges and can thus be locked into place with the flanged edges of the beverage cans.The particular advantage of the step-by-step locking of the packaging blank with the beverage cans of the article grouping is that the second connections, which are formed after the first connections, integrate the first connections, whereby the joining forces to be applied can be divided into two successive process steps, which enables the locking of very rigid and unyielding packaging blanks with thin-walled and mechanically not excessively resilient beverage cans, so that they do not have to be loaded with relatively high joining forces in a single locking process, which could potentially lead to damage to the articles or beverage cans to be joined.

[0046] Depending on the selected design variant, the application tool can have a bowl-like shape with a flat upper lid area that is placed on the packaging blank and can press this onto the beverage cans. In addition, the application tool can have a circumferential lateral edge area that can cover the beverage cans by approximately one-third of their height or slightly more. The lateral edge area essentially serves the function of preventing the beverage cans from slipping sideways or tipping when the application tool is pressed downwards and the flat upper lid area exerts the joining forces on the packaging blank. By exerting the defined joining forces, the openings can be at least partially locked to the flanged edges of the beverage cans.

[0047] If the openings are not yet fully engaged with the flanged edges of the beverage cans, this results in the aforementioned warping of the packaging blank in the central area of ​​its main surface. The central area of ​​the main surface refers to the area of ​​the packaging blank through which a vertical plane of symmetry runs, separating the two aligned groups of three of the six grouped beverage containers.

[0048] The central area of ​​the main surface is still above the flanged edges, while the longitudinal edge sections are already below the flanged edges, as the openings on the outer areas are already partially locked to the flanged edges of the beverage cans. The warping of the packaging blank can amount to several millimeters, whereby this amount depends on the height of the flanged edges of the beverage cans being combined. Only the additional joining forces, which are applied by the stamp insert to the upwardly curved central area of ​​the main surface of the packaging blank, bring it back to a flat shape, as the openings are now pressed completely over the flanged edges and can thus be locked to the flanged edges of the beverage cans.

[0049] Such a stamp insert can, for example, reach through slot-like recesses in the flat upper lid area of ​​the application tool, so that corresponding active edges of the stamp insert can press onto the areas of the packaging blank located between the openings.

[0050] In a finished packaging unit, the perforations of the packaging blank, including their reinforced edges, are fully engaged with the flanged edges of the beverage cans, so that the packaging blank regains its original flat shape and is attached to the top of the article grouping in a flattened and rigid form, holding the individual articles together and mechanically securing them. The initial warping of the central area of ​​the main surface of the packaging blank is thus eliminated and leveled in the finished packaging unit.

[0051] Sleeve-like support sections can optionally be provided on the inside of the application tool. Their short cylindrical sections, extending from the underside of the upper lid area facing the packaging blank to the inside of the tray-like application tool, press against the main surface of the packaging blank and can partially lock it to the beverage cans of the article grouping, forming the first connections. The number and positions of the sleeve-like support sections correspond to the arrangement and number of corresponding articles of the article grouping to be equipped with the packaging blank.

[0052] Preferably, the sleeve-like support sections each have sloping lower end faces, wherein the sleeve-like support sections are shorter in the respective inner region, where they adjoin one another in pairs and are each separated from one another by one of several aligned slot-like recesses extending between the narrow sides of the rectangular application tool, than in the outer regions. In the outer regions of the sleeve-like support sections, which are located close to the longitudinal edge regions of the shell-like application tool, their sloping lower end faces preferably extend further downward.

[0053] In the following, exemplary embodiments will explain the invention and its advantages in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The relative sizes of the individual elements in the figures do not always correspond to the actual sizes, as some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged relative to other elements for better illustration.

[0054] Fig. 1 shows, in a schematic and perspective view, successive process steps in the production of packaging units by assembling a packaging blank with a provided article grouping.

[0055] Figures 2A to 2E show, in schematic and perspective views, the various process stages in the production of the packaging units, which are formed by applying a packaging blank to a group of articles.

[0056] Figures 3A to 3E show various schematic views of an application tool as it can be used in the production of packaging units and combined with two different versions of a stamp insert.

[0057] Identical reference numerals are used for identical or equivalently functioning elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference numerals necessary for the description of the respective figure are shown in the individual figures. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the application tool according to the invention or the method according to the invention for producing packaging units could be designed and do not represent a definitive limitation.

[0058] The perspective view in Fig. 1 shows, in a highly schematic form, the basic sequence of process steps required to produce packaging units, as will be considered in the method according to the invention described here. These packaging units are produced by assembling a packaging blank 10 with several similar articles 12, while performing further manipulation steps, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0059] As can be seen from Fig. 1, the method initially involves providing the articles 12 to be equipped with the packaging blank 10, preferably in a predetermined number and in a defined, particularly geometric, arrangement relative to one another. The article grouping 14 shown here comprises a total of six articles 12 arranged in a rectangular arrangement, each of which, in the illustrated embodiment, is formed by similar beverage cans 16.

[0060] The packaging blank 10 is formed by a flat and relatively rigid rectangular section with a main surface 18, typically with rounded outer corner regions 20, and with a total of six circular openings 22 located within the flat main surface 18. A circumferential lateral edge 24 bounding the main surface 18 can optionally be drawn downward in a roof-like manner, although this is not visible in the illustration in Fig. 1. However, such a configuration of the packaging blank 10 can be found in the following illustrations in Figs. 2A to 2E.

[0061] The conventional beverage cans 16 shown in Fig. 1 can be made, in particular, from sheet metal. They comprise a deep-drawn cylindrical body for holding a liquid or beverage, as well as a flat can lid 26 placed on top and connected in a liquid-tight manner. The can lid 26 can also be provided with a tear-off tab 28 and a tear-off opening connected thereto, as is graphically indicated here for each of the beverage cans 16. The circular can lid 26 covering and closing the upper, drawn-in edge of the cylindrical can body can be fixed there, in particular, with a flanged connection, in an adhesive and liquid-tight manner, which forms a circumferential flange 30 of the respective beverage can 16.

[0062] Since in such beverage cans 16, as shown here as an example, the upper circumferential flanged edge 30 slightly projects beyond the adjacent outer surface of the can body, a stepped shoulder with a change in diameter is located directly below the flanged edge 30, which is suitable for connecting the beverage cans 16 forming the articles 12 of the packaging unit to the packaging blank 10. For this purpose, the packaging blank 10 is provided with the aforementioned circular openings or perforations 22, which can be introduced into the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 10, for example, by punching processes or in some other way.

[0063] The beverage cans 16 can be locked into place if the openings 22 are appropriately dimensioned, which must correspond to the diameters of the flanged edges 30 and, in particular, should be slightly smaller. The arrangement of the openings 22 defines the positioning of the articles 12 or beverage cans 16 within the packaging unit to be formed. It is practical for the beverage cans 16 to lock into the openings 22 of the packaging blank 10 in such a way that their outer surfaces are in linear contact and are fixed to one another in the desired rectangular arrangement.

[0064] As illustrated in Fig. 1 by the curved arrow labeled A between the top of the article grouping 14 and the packaging blank 10, the latter can first be placed on the top of the article grouping 14 so that the openings 22 are aligned with the can ends 26 of the beverage cans 16 (see Fig. 2A). Optionally, the packaging blank 10 can be partially locked to the flanged edges 30 of the beverage cans 16, which in the present context is referred to as the formation of initial connections (not visible here) (see Fig. 2C).

[0065] For the formation of this first connection, an application tool 32, which is only indicated here, is normally used, with which a first joining or application force can be applied to the packaging blank 10 when the packaging blank 10 is inserted there, placed on the article grouping 14 by means of the application tool 32 and pressed with a defined joining force in order to at least partially lock the openings 22 with the flanged edges 30 of the beverage cans 16 (cf. Fig. 2B).

[0066] This defined joining force for producing the first connections using the application tool 32 is illustrated by the curved arrow labeled B between the top side of the packaging blank 10 and the bottom side of the bell-shaped or bowl-shaped application tool 32.

[0067] The method according to the invention provides for a subsequent complete locking of the openings 22 with the flanged edges 30 of the beverage cans 16, for which purpose the application tool 32 is again used. For this purpose, the application tool 32 can in particular have a stamp insert 34 or the like that presses onto the main surface 18 from above and is located on the inside of the bell-shaped application tool 32 in order to be able to exert an additional joining force on the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 10 when attached, whereby a complete locking of the flanged edges 30 with the openings 22 of the packaging blank 10 can be achieved.

[0068] Before and in the mounted state, no second connections have yet been made where the openings 22 are only partially locked to the beverage cans 16 of the article grouping 14, so that these second connections are formed by pressing on the stamp insert 34.

[0069] The application of these additional joining forces by activating the stamp insert 34, whereby the packaging blank 10 simultaneously remains fixed to the article grouping 14 by means of the application tool 32, is illustrated by the arrow C pointing from above to the stamp insert 34 (see Fig. 2D).

[0070] The typical sequence of the process steps corresponds to the letter sequence of the arrows A, B and C, whereby in principle the process steps A and B can be carried out in an integrated manner in the manner described, in that the packaging blank 10 is inserted into the application tool 32 and this, together with the packaging blank 10, can be placed onto the article grouping 14 and subjected to a defined joining force to form the first connections.

[0071] The typically occurring warping of the packaging blank 10 in the central region of its main surface 18, which is still located above the flanged edges 30, while the longitudinal edge sections 24 are already located below the flanged edges 30, since the openings 22 in the outer regions are already partially locked to the flanged edges 30 of the beverage cans 16, can only be seen more clearly in Figures 2A to 2E explained below, and here in particular in the illustration in Figure 2C.

[0072] Only the additional joining forces C, which are applied by the stamp insert 34 to the upwardly curved central region of the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 10, bring it back into a flat shape, since the openings 22 are now completely pressed over the flanged edges 30 and can thus be locked with the flanged edges 30 of the beverage cans 16 (cf. Fig. 2E).The particular advantage of the step-by-step locking of the packaging blank 10 with the beverage cans 16 of the article grouping 14 is that the second connections formed after the first connections integrate the first connections, whereby the joining forces to be applied can be divided into two successive process steps, which enables the locking of very rigid and unyielding packaging blanks 10 with thin-walled and mechanically not excessively resilient beverage cans 16, so that they do not have to be loaded with relatively high joining forces in a single locking process, which could potentially lead to damage.

[0073] The perspective views of Figures 2A to 2E are intended to illustrate the successive process steps described above in their sequence between the placing of the packaging blank 10 on the article grouping 14 (Fig. 2A) up to the production of the first (Fig. 2B) and the second connections (Fig. 2D), after which Fig. 2E shows the packaging unit 36 ​​thus completed.

[0074] After the provision of the article grouping 14, which in the exemplary embodiment illustrated here comprises six identical articles 12 in the form of metal beverage cans 16, as already explained with reference to Fig. 1, the packaging blank 10 is placed on top of the article grouping 14, as shown in Fig. 2A, so that its openings 22 are each aligned with the can lids 26. The raised and reinforced edges 38 surrounding the openings 22 indicate that the packaging blank 10 used here is a relatively rigid and bend-resistant packaging element which, unlike conventional packaging blanks made of cardboard material, cannot simply be pressed over the flanged edges 30 of the beverage cans 16, but can only be placed there and locked into place using increased joining forces.

[0075] To form the first connections between the openings 22 with their stiffening circumferential edges 38 and the flanged edges 30 on the upper can lids 26 of the beverage cans 16, the application tool 32 illustrated therein by way of example is used, as shown in Fig. 2B, with which a first joining or application force can be applied to the packaging blank 10. As illustrated in Figures 2B and 2D, the application tool 32 can, in particular, have a bowl-like shape, which has a flat upper lid region 40 that is placed on the packaging blank 10 and can press it onto the beverage cans 16. The inner contouring of the upper lid region will be explained in more detail with reference to the following Figures 3A to 3E.

[0076] In addition, the application tool 32 has a circumferential lateral edge region 42, which can cover the beverage cans 16 to approximately one-third of their height or slightly more, as shown by way of example in Figures 2B and 2D. The lateral edge region 42 essentially only has the function of preventing the beverage cans 16 from deflecting sideways or tipping when the application tool 32 is pressed downward and the flat upper lid region 40 exerts the joining forces on the packaging blank 10. By exerting the defined joining forces, the openings 22 are at least partially locked to the flanged edges 30 of the beverage cans 16, as illustrated in Figure 2C.

[0077] If the openings 22 are not yet fully engaged with the flanged edges 30 of the beverage cans 16, this results in the curvature 19 of the packaging blank 10 in the central region of its main surface 18, as shown in Fig. 2C. The central region of the main surface 18 refers to the region of the packaging blank 10 through which a vertical plane of symmetry runs, separating the two aligned groups of three of the total of six grouped beverage containers 16. This central region, which, after the formation of the first connections, exhibits the aforementioned curvature 19 upward, is indicated in Fig. 2C.

[0078] The central region of the main surface 18 is still located above the flanged edges 30, while the longitudinal edge sections 24 are already located below the flanged edges 30, since the openings 22 on the outer regions are already partially locked to the flanged edges 30 of the beverage cans 16. The warpage of the packaging blank 10 can amount to several millimeters, whereby this dimension depends on the height of the flanged edges 30 of the beverage cans 16 combined.

[0079] Only the additional joining forces C, which are applied by the stamp insert 34 to the upwardly curved central region of the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 10, bring it back into a flat shape, since the openings 22 are now pressed completely over the flanged edges 30 and can thus be locked to the flanged edges 30 of the beverage cans 16. The stamp insert 34 can, for example, have the design shown in Fig. 2D and reach through slot-like recesses 44 in the flat upper lid region 40 of the application tool 32, so that corresponding active edges of the stamp insert 34 can press onto the regions of the packaging blank 10 lying between the openings 22 (not visible here).

[0080] Fig. 2D illustrates the downward pressing of the stamp insert 34, which causes the openings 22 to fully engage with the flanged edges 30 of the beverage cans 16. The application of these additional joining forces by activating the stamp insert 34, while the packaging blank 10 simultaneously remains fixed to the article grouping 14 by means of the application tool 32, is illustrated by the arrow C pointing from above to the stamp insert 34.

[0081] Fig. 2E shows the finished packaging unit 36, in which the openings 22 of the packaging blank 10, including their reinforced edges 38, are fully engaged with the flanged edges 30 of the beverage cans 16, so that the packaging blank 10 regains its original flat shape and is attached in a flattened and rigid form to the top of the article grouping 14, holding the individual articles 12 together and mechanically securing them. The warping 19 of the central region of the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 10, still visible in Fig. 2C, is thus eliminated in the finished packaging unit 36 ​​according to Fig. 2E.

[0082] The schematic and perspective representations of Figures 3A to 3E show a second variant of the application tool 32 already shown in a first variant in Figures 2B and 2D. Fig. 3A shows the application tool 32 without the stamp insert 34 attached thereto. This stamp insert 34 is shown in two different embodiments, in a branched first variant (Figures 3B and 3C) and in a simpler second variant (Figures 3D and 3E), which can optionally be combined with the same application tool 32.

[0083] The outer side of the application tool 32, shown in perspective in Fig. 3A, shows the flat upper cover region 40 and the slot-like recesses 44 located there, as well as the collar-like edge region 42 which continues downwards with a slight slope on all sides and opens slightly. The total of seven slot-like recesses 44 are each of the same size so that the elongated webs 46 of the stamp insert 34 (Fig. 3B or Fig. 3D) engaging there fit into them. The arrangement of the total of seven slot-like recesses 44 in the upper flat cover region 40 of the bowl-like application tool 32 is such that three of the slot-like recesses 44 extend at short distances from one another in an aligned arrangement between the two opposite narrow sides of the application tool 32, so that they follow a line of symmetry between the narrow sides.These three slot-like recesses 44 are located above the bulge 19 when the application tool 32 is placed on the packaging blank 10 (see Fig. 2C), so that the webs 46 of the stamp insert 34 extending therethrough can press the bulge 19 downwards and can produce the second connections between the openings 22 of the packaging blank 10 and the flanged edges 30 of the beverage cans 16 held together (see Fig. 2E).

[0084] Two pairs of further slot-like recesses 44 extend between the two opposite longitudinal sides of the application tool 32, with these four slot-like recesses 44 being oriented perpendicular to the other three aligned slot-like recesses 44. Each of the two aligned pairs of slot-like recesses 44 extending between the longitudinal sides of the application tool 32 is interrupted by a material bridge of the cover region 40 in those regions in which the three slot-like recesses 44 extending perpendicular thereto and extending between the narrow sides are also interrupted. Thus, the slot-like recesses 44 each meet in the central region of the cover region 40 and form two cross-like groupings with the slot-like recess 44 located centrally in the cover region 40, which belongs to both cross-like groupings.

[0085] The first variant of the stamp insert 34 shown in perspective view in Fig. 3B has a total of seven elongated flat webs 46 with vertical extension directions, which fit exactly into the slot-like recesses 44 and can reach through them in order to be able to press the packaging blank 10 completely onto the article grouping 14 (cf. Fig. 2D).

[0086] An upper gripping region 48 of the stamp insert 34 protrudes from the upper side of the application tool 32, i.e., from its upper lid region 40, even in the activated state of the webs 46, which are all completely pressed through the slot-like recesses 44, as is illustrated in the perspective view of Fig. 3C. The second variant of the stamp insert 34, shown in perspective view in Fig. 3D, has only three elongated, flat webs 46 with vertical extension directions, which fit exactly into the three aligned slot-like recesses 44 above the curvature 19 of the packaging blank 10 and can reach through them in order to be able to press the packaging blank 10 completely onto the article grouping 14 (cf. Fig. 2D).

[0087] The four additional webs 46 arranged transversely thereto in the first variant (Fig. 3B) are missing in this stamp insert 34, so that it has a flat, stretched-out and flat contour that can be pushed vertically into the three aligned recesses 44, as the perspective view of Fig. 3E illustrates. Here, too, the upper grip area 48 of the stamp insert protrudes from the top of the application tool 32 in the activated state of its three webs 46, which are completely pressed through the corresponding slot-like recesses 44. The slot-like recesses 44 perpendicular to this, which extend in pairs between the long sides of the application tool 32, remain unused.

[0088] The schematic and perspective illustration of Fig. 4A illustrates an inner side of the application tool 32 shown from the outside in Fig. 3A, wherein the slot-like recesses 44 are again visible here. More clearly visible, however, are a total of six sleeve-like support sections 50, the short cylindrical sections of which point from the underside of the upper lid region 40 facing the packaging blank 10 to the inside of the tray-like application tool 32 press onto the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 10 and can partially lock it to the beverage cans 16 of the article grouping 14, forming the first connections in the manner shown in Fig. 2C.

[0089] Fig. 4B shows a side view of the application tool 32 with the stamp insert 34 placed thereon, with its webs 46 extending through the slot-like recesses 44, in its first embodiment (see Figures 3B and 3C). Fig. 4B illustrates the side view of the longitudinal sides of the edge region 42 of the application tool 32.

[0090] Fig. 4C shows a cross-section through the application tool 32 with the stamp insert 34 attached, along section lines BB of Fig. 4B. There, it can be seen that the sleeve-like support sections 50 each have sloping lower end faces 52. The sleeve-like support sections 50 are shorter in the respective inner region, where they adjoin one another in pairs and are each separated from one another by one of the three aligned slot-like recesses 44 extending between the narrow sides of the rectangular application tool 32, than in the outer regions. In the outer regions of the sleeve-like support sections 50, which are located close to the longitudinal edge regions 42 of the shell-like application tool 32, their sloping lower end faces 52 extend further downward, as can be clearly seen in the sectional view of Fig. 4C.

[0091] The sectional view of Fig. 4C also shows that the two pairs of webs 46 of the stamp insert 34, which are oriented transversely to the three central aligned webs 46, are dimensioned such that, when the stamp insert 34 is inserted, they extend into an area that reaches below the lower end faces 52 of the sleeve-like support sections 50. In this way, by pressing down the stamp insert 34, which can be pressed with its gripping area 48 onto the lid area 40 of the application tool 32, the webs 46 can completely lock the packaging blank 10 to the beverage cans 16, whereby the warping of the packaging blank 10 previously created by the roof-like beveled lower end faces 52 of the sleeve-like support sections 50 can be leveled again.The webs 46 thus each press onto the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 10 and lock it completely with the beverage cans 16 of the article grouping 14, forming the second connections in the manner shown in Fig. 2E.

[0092] Fig. 4D again shows a side view of the application tool 32 with the stamp insert 34 placed thereon, with its webs 46 extending through the slot-like recesses 44 in its second embodiment (see Figures 3D and 3E). Fig. 4D illustrates the side view of the longitudinal sides of the edge region 42 of the application tool 32.

[0093] Fig. 4E shows a cross-section through the application tool 32 with the stamp insert 34 placed thereon along the section lines DD of Fig. 4D. Since the application tool 32 does not differ from the embodiment already described with reference to Fig. 4G, the sleeve-like support sections 50 with their slanted lower end faces 52, which are used to form the first connections between the article grouping 14 and the packaging blank 10 curved as shown in Fig. 2C, are also located there. The sectional view of Fig. 4E also shows that only the three aligned webs 46 of the stamp insert 34, which are oriented transversely to the plane of the illustration, are present.These webs 46 are each dimensioned such that, when the stamp insert 34 is inserted, they can press the curved central region of the packaging blank 10 downward, as they extend below the lower end faces 52 of the sleeve-like support sections 50. In this way, by pressing down the stamp insert 34, which can be pressed with its gripping area 48 onto the lid area 40 of the application tool 32, the webs 46 can completely lock the packaging blank 10 to the beverage cans 16, whereby the curvature of the packaging blank 10 previously created by the roof-like beveled lower end faces 52 of the sleeve-like support sections 50 can be leveled again.

[0094] The three webs 46 of the stamp insert 34 thus each press onto the main surface 18 of the packaging blank 10 and lock it completely with the beverage cans 16 of the article grouping 14, forming the second connections in the manner shown in Fig. 2E.

[0095] The following is provided as a supplementary note to the above statements. Although "schematic" representations and views are often or generally referred to in connection with the embodiments shown in the figures and their above descriptions, this in no way means that the figure representations and their descriptions are of secondary importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. A person skilled in the art is perfectly capable of deriving sufficient information from the schematic and abstractly drawn representations to facilitate their understanding of the invention, without their understanding being in any way impaired by the drawn and possibly not exactly true-to-scale proportions of parts of the application tool 32, its details, or other drawn elements.Rather, the figures enable the skilled reader, based on the more specifically explained implementations of the inventive method for producing packaging units 36 and the more specifically explained structure of the inventive application tool 32, to derive a better understanding of the inventive concept formulated more generally and / or abstractly in the claims and in the general part of the description, at least with regard to some aspects. The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable for a skilled person that modifications or changes to the invention can be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

[0096] List of reference symbols

[0097] 10 Packaging cutting

[0098] 12 articles

[0099] 14 Article grouping

[0100] 16 cans, beverage cans

[0101] 18 Main area

[0102] 20 outer corner areas

[0103] 22 Breakthrough

[0104] 24 edge, all-round side edge

[0105] 26 can lids

[0106] 28 tear tab

[0107] 30 beaded edge

[0108] 32 application tools

[0109] 34 Stamp insert

[0110] 36 packaging units, containers

[0111] 38 reinforced edge

[0112] 40 lid area

[0113] 42 Marginal area

[0114] 44 slot-like recess

[0115] 46 bridge, flat bridge

[0116] 48 grip area

[0117] 50 support section, sleeve-like support section

[0118] 52 lower end face (of the support section)

Claims

Claims Application tool (32) of a packaging machine for producing packaging units (36) which are formed by joining at least one packaging blank (10) with several articles (12), which application tool (32) comprises at least: - an application device which can be placed on an upper side of an article grouping (14), which carries a packaging blank (10) on its underside or can be placed against such a blank and can place the packaging blank (10) on an upper side of the articles (12) to be equipped with the at least one packaging blank (10) and to be connected and can exert a first joining force there in a direction parallel to vertical longitudinal central axes of the articles (12), - a stamping unit (34) assigned to the application device and which can be placed together with the application device onto the article grouping (14), which, after the packaging blank (10) has been applied and when the application device is placed onto the articles (12), presses onto the upper sides of the provided articles (12) with a second joining force in order to completely connect the packaging blank (10) to the articles (12). Application tool (32) according to claim 1, which comprises a flat or bowl-like attachment with openings or recesses (44) for the stamping unit (34). Application tool according to claim 2, in which the stamping unit (34) can reach through the flat or bowl-like attachment and apply a joining force to the packaging blank (10) to form the second connections.Application tool according to claim 2 or 3, wherein by means of the stamping unit (34) a defined joining or application force can be applied to the packaging blank (10) to form second connections between the packaging blank (10) and the articles (12), wherein the second connections integrate first connections between the packaging blank (10) and the articles (12).

5. Application tool according to one of claims 1 to 4, which operates to carry out a two-stage joining process in at least two successive application stages, and in which two joining areas engage with one another.

6. A method for producing packaging units (36) formed by assembling at least one packaging blank (10) with a plurality of articles (12), the method comprising at least the following method steps: - providing the articles (12) to be equipped with the at least one packaging blank (10), - placing and applying the packaging blank (10) to the provided articles (12) while forming initial connections between defined sections of the packaging blank (10) and defined areas of the articles (12), - Exerting a defined joining or application force onto the packaging blank (10) to form second connections between the packaging blank (10) and the articles (12), wherein the second connections integrate the first connections.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second compounds contain and solidify the first compounds.

8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first connections are formed in particular by snap-in connections.

9. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second connections are formed in particular by snap-in connections.

10. Method according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the connections are formed between openings (22) within a main surface (18) of the packaging blank (10) and edge portions of the articles (12).

11. Method according to one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the packaging blank (10) is deformed, in particular warped, during the production of the first connections.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the openings (22) of the packaging blank (10) are only partially connected to the edge sections of the articles (12), in particular partially locked.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the packaging blank (10) deformed or warped by the formed first connections is reshaped into an approximately or completely flat shape during the production of the second connections.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the openings (22) are completely covered with the Edge sections of the articles (12) are connected or locked.

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