Packaging apparatus for producing packaging units, and method for producing packaging units

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging apparatus (1) and to a method for producing packaging units (25). The packaging units (25) comprise an article combination (21) consisting of at least two articles (20) with a packaging blank (30) arranged thereon. The packaging blank (30) holds the articles (20) together in a neck or head region (22) and fixes the articles (20) in their relative positions with respect to one another within the packaging unit (25). The packaging blank (30) comprises at least two through-openings (32) for the at least two articles (20), wherein a handle region (33) is formed between the at least two through-openings (32). The packaging device (1) comprises an application module (5) for applying the at least one packaging blank (30) to the article combination (21) and a tool (7) for at least partially bringing the handle region (33) into a lower storage position.

Description

[0001] Packaging device for producing packaging units and method for producing packaging units

[0002] The present invention relates to a packaging device for producing packaging units and a method for producing such packaging units.

[0003] There are different types of packaging for the processing, compilation, grouping, and packaging of items such as beverage containers. One frequently used variant involves combining several similar items or containers into portable, relatively manageable bundles or packaging units. Various options are also known for combining individual items into larger packages. For example, beverage containers are usually combined and packaged using shrink film to form bundles of four, six, or more containers. The production of bundles is usually unavoidable, as they represent the most common type of packaging unit for beverage containers or bottles made of PET plastic. The bundles are sometimes combined again for transport and / or arranged in layers and palletized.

[0004] The production of common types of containers requires specific manufacturing steps to process the shrink film typically used for the containers. These manufacturing steps require a relatively high energy input, not least because the film shrinks under the influence of heat. Furthermore, the film used incurs costs for production, provision, handling, and subsequent disposal, as it is no longer needed after the items have been sold and unpacked. Finally, the provision of the so-called shrink tunnel, in which the film wrapped around the containers is shrunk using hot air, also requires high ongoing costs.

[0005] One variant that completely eliminates the need for shrink film is the so-called strapping system. In this case, the containers are connected to one another using strapping bands and combined into a single pack. In continuously or intermittently operating strapping machines, containers, items, or bottles are grouped into formations and then strapped with one or more bands using strapping units. Typical formations can be, for example, 1x2 arrangements (two containers in a row), 2x2 arrangements (four containers in a square or diamond formation), 3x2, 4x3, or generally variable nxm arrangements.

[0006] Furthermore, the use of so-called upper grip carton packaging is known, for example, to group several bottles together via their neck areas. A packaging machine for applying such upper grip carton packaging is described in patent EP 1075419 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, subgroups are formed, each of which groups together a portion of the articles arranged in the box.

[0007] A gripper carton packaging has an arrangement and number of openings that correspond to the arrangement and number of articles to be grouped. The diameter of the openings is usually slightly smaller than the maximum diameter of the articles in an upper area. The gripper carton packaging is placed on the articles and pressed down so that a defined upper area of ​​the articles is pushed through the openings. In particular, an upper area with a maximum diameter is pushed through the openings, and the edge areas of the openings engage with the articles below this maximum diameter, so that the gripper carton packaging is securely and firmly attached to the articles.

[0008] Some designs of gripper carton packaging provide a handle area that is tailored to the height of the article above the packaging blank, for example, the height of the cap area of ​​bottles. However, a handle area arranged in this way between the bottles is difficult to grasp.

[0009] Furthermore, gripper carton packaging is known which has a central handle area that extends upwards beyond the tops of the articles. When palletizing and stacking pallet layers consisting of multiple packaging units, the handle areas are pushed out to the side, so that they rest at least partially on the tops of the articles. This results in an irregular top surface of the pallet layer, which negatively impacts the stability of a pallet stack consisting of multiple pallet layers, as it can lead to skewed pallet layers.

[0010] An object of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide packaging units which have an easily and readily graspable handle area and which can also be easily palletized.

[0011] This object is achieved by a packaging device for producing packaging units and by a method for producing packaging units, which comprise the features in the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are described in the respective dependent claims.

[0012] The packaging units produced with the packaging device and the method comprise an article assembly of at least two articles, on which articles at least one packaging blank is arranged.

[0013] The packaging blank has at least two openings for the at least two items and holds the items together, particularly in a neck or head area. The packaging blank determines the relative positions of the items within the packaging unit.

[0014] The packaging blank has at least two through-openings for the at least two articles. Preferably, the packaging blank is flat in at least some areas and comprises at least two through-openings for the at least two articles in the at least one flat area.

[0015] Furthermore, it is provided that the packaging blank comprises a handle area, which handle area is formed between the at least two passage openings for the articles.

[0016] The packaging device comprises an application module for applying the at least one packaging blank to the at least one article assembly and a tool for at least partially moving the handle region into a lower storage position. In the method for producing the packaging units described above, at least one packaging blank is applied to the at least two articles of the article assembly. Furthermore, a handle region formed between the at least two through-openings is moved into a lower storage position, which storage position extends at least partially downwards and in particular between the articles.

[0017] To ensure that the items maintain their relative alignment and / or spacing when moving the handle area to a lower storage position, they must be held together either by a tool or by a previously applied packaging material. Such packaging could, for example, be strapping, cardboard packaging, a banderol, or something similar, so that the items are held together.

[0018] Suitable packaging materials include, for example, an adhesive bond, a banderol, a bottle protection net, a tray, or a two-layer packaging blank. All of these packaging variants can also be referred to as secondary packaging or secondary packaging, while the items themselves are normally considered primary packaging, if this terminology is to be used.

[0019] The bands can be made primarily of plastic, paper, or a composite material. When we talk about paper material here, we essentially mean a pulp material, which can include not only paper but also cardboard, i.e., a relatively stiff and thick paper material. All of these variants of pulp material can be considered either paper or cardboard, although the distinction is naturally not clear-cut, as thin cardboard, for example, can also be considered a stronger paper material.

[0020] The bottle protection net can essentially be made of plastic, paper or a composite material.

[0021] The trays can essentially be made of plastic, cardboard or a composite material.

[0022] When adhesive bonds are referred to as secondary packaging, this particularly refers to adhesive bonds between adjacent outer surfaces of the articles, which can be created by adding adhesives such as hot melt, cold glue or adhesive labels or the like.

[0023] The packaging blanks can essentially consist of plastic or cardboard.

[0024] A suitable tool is also suitable, which can be removed from the items after use, as the packaging is then cut to ensure that it stays together.

[0025] It should be expressly noted at this point that all aspects and embodiments explained in connection with the packaging device according to the invention equally relate to, or can be, partial aspects of the method according to the invention. Therefore, if specific aspects and / or relationships and / or effects are mentioned at any point in the description or in the claim definitions for the packaging device according to the invention, this applies equally to the method according to the invention.

[0026] 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 packaging device according to the invention. 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 method according to the invention, this applies equally to the packaging device according to the invention.

[0027] The packaging device according to the invention can preferably be a component of a packaging system for articles, in particular a packaging system for beverage containers. The beverage packaging system typically comprises a wet section, the wet section comprising at least the components of a filling module and a closing module, as well as, if appropriate, a labeling module. If the beverages are filled into PET bottles, for example, the wet section can additionally comprise modules for producing the PET bottles, in particular a heating module for preforms and a stretch blow molding module.

[0028] The beverages filled into corresponding containers are combined into packaging units in a packaging device according to the invention. For example, article sets, particularly bottle sets or can sets, are first formed in a dividing or grouping module. The articles can also be arranged on so-called trays, pads, or similar.

[0029] The dividing module can, for example, have a retaining divider for forming the article combinations.

[0030] The items are fed into the dividing module, for example, via a suitable transport device. The feed can be carried out either in a random mass flow or in an orderly manner, with the items moving in a single row or in several parallel rows.

[0031] The article assemblies assembled in the dividing module are fed via a feeder device to the application module for the application of at least one packaging blank. The feeder device can extend into the application module and move the article assemblies in one transport direction.

[0032] In the application module of the packaging device, packaging blanks are applied to the article assemblies in the manner according to the invention.

[0033] The bottle or can assemblies combined with the packaging blanks are then preferably assembled into layer arrangements or unit load layer arrangements in a layer-forming module, for example, using suitable gantry robots, tripods, articulated robots, or other suitable devices. These are compressed, creating palletizable layers. These palletizable layers can be fed to a palletizing device and combined into pallet stacks.

[0034] Within the beverage packaging system, the articles are preferably transported from one module to the next via suitable transport systems. The transport systems can, if necessary, be equipped with suitable buffer systems. The transport systems can, for example, be transport starwheels and horizontal conveyors. The at least one article can be containers, in particular bottles made of PET or another suitable plastic, made of glass, etc. Preferably, the articles or containers can also be formed by cans made of plastic and / or aluminum or another metal or similar. However, the packaging device and the method are also suitable for arranging a corresponding packaging blank on other suitable articles and securing it to these, for example on kegs or similar.

[0035] The article or container may consist of more than 70% glass, metal, especially sheet metal, or a plastic, especially PET, or a fibrous material. The fibrous material may, for example, contain cellulose. This means that the article or container considered here may well be made of cellulose material, which may be coated on the outside and / or provided with a liquid-impermeable inner coating to make the material suitable for forming liquid containers.

[0036] In particular, the at least one article may be a liquid container, in particular a beverage container.

[0037] In particular, the article and / or container may have a bulge or bead running at least partially along its circumference, preferably in its upper region.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, the article is substantially cylindrical and / or conical, as is the case with commercially available bottles and cans. For example, the article is cylindrical in some areas and conical in some areas. Preferably, the article can be cylindrical in a lower area and conical in an upper area. A direct transition between the cylindrical and conical areas can be provided.

[0039] However, a region with a reduced cross-sectional area may also be provided between the cylindrical and conical regions. Further embodiments are known to those skilled in the art and are also intended to be encompassed by the application.

[0040] For the sake of simplicity, the following refers to at least two articles, whereby this term should also include groups of articles or sets of articles in which more than two articles are combined via at least one corresponding packaging cut.

[0041] The packaging blank is, in particular, a so-called top-clip carton package. The packaging blank preferably consists essentially of a cardboard material, a plastic material, a cardboard-plastic composite material, or another suitable material. Essentially, this means that the packaging blank can also be printed with printing ink or provided with other coatings or modifications such as affixed labels or similar.

[0042] Preferably, it can be provided that the packaging blank is formed at least partially from a fibrous material.

[0043] Preferably, after the packaging blank has been defined, a defined upper region of the at least two articles is located above the packaging blank, while a defined lower region of the at least two articles is arranged below the packaging blank.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the through-openings of the packaging blank have suitable fixing devices, which can be formed, for example, by fixing tabs. For example, the fixing tabs are formed between adjacent incisions or similar elements extending radially from the openings.

[0045] After arranging and attaching the packaging blank to the at least two articles, the packaging blank is in engagement or contact with the at least two articles in such a way that it is essentially fixed to the at least two articles in a stationary manner with respect to a longitudinal axis of the at least two articles and the at least two articles can no longer make any significant relative movements or changes in position with respect to the packaging blank.

[0046] In particular, it can be provided that the packaging blank is applied to the at least two articles essentially in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof.

[0047] The packaging blank can usually only be removed from the articles in the article set with increased force with an upward force component, whereby the packaging blank is usually rendered at least partially unusable because, for example, the above-mentioned fixing tabs can bend downwards.

[0048] It may be that the packaging blank, thanks to a suitable geometry, also prevents the items from rotating around their axis. However, it may also be possible for the items to continue rotating after the packaging blank has been applied.

[0049] Preferably, the packaging blanks are provided in a flat form in a magazine assigned to the application module. The packaging blanks are removed from the magazine, for example, by a handling device, such as a robot.

[0050] According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the handling device is also designed as an application tool and can apply the at least one detected packaging blank to at least one article assembly.

[0051] Alternatively, an independent application tool can be provided which takes over the at least one packaging blank removed from the magazine by the handling device in order to apply it to a correspondingly provided article assembly.

[0052] In particular, in this embodiment, the packaging blank is applied to the article assembly in such a way that the handle area extends upwards from flat areas of the packaging blank, which are preferably arranged in a horizontal plane. To distinguish it from other planes described below, this horizontal plane is also referred to as the first horizontal plane.

[0053] Furthermore, it is provided that the application module comprises at least one tool which is designed to at least partially move the handle area into a lower storage position.

[0054] Alternatively, the tool can be arranged downstream of the application mode, in particular, the tool can be arranged downstream of the application module in the transport direction of the articles combined with the packaging blank. The tool is designed to grasp the handle area extending upwards after application and to fold or press it downwards, so that the handle area is arranged at least partially between the articles.

[0055] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the handle area can be arranged completely between the articles and, in particular, does not protrude upwards beyond the top sides of the articles. In particular, the handle area is brought into the storage position by the tool by folding or pressing downwards.

[0056] For example, the tool is formed by a gripping tool designed to clamp the handle area and to press or fold the gripped handle area downward. In particular, the gripping tool presses the handle area downward relative to at least one surface forming an upper side of the packaging blank or a flat area of ​​the packaging blank. In particular, it can be provided that the gripping tool presses the handle area downward relative to at least two surfaces forming an upper side of the packaging blank or flat areas of the packaging blank.

[0057] The tool can be designed, in particular, as a stamping tool that presses the handle area downward relative to at least one, preferably at least two, flat areas or areas forming the top side of the packaging blank. In particular, the stamping tool can comprise a V-shaped or W-shaped stamping area for this purpose.

[0058] In the embodiment described here, it is therefore provided that the folding or pressing of the handle area downwards only takes place after the application of the packaging blank to the article assembly, in particular at a later time.

[0059] A further preferred embodiment can provide that the folding or pressing of the handle area downwards to transfer it into the lower storage position takes place in temporal connection with the application of the packaging blank to the article assembly.

[0060] For this purpose, for example, a combination tool can be provided, which combination tool is designed such that it grasps the at least one packaging blank, applies it to the at least one article assembly, and, in particular, essentially simultaneously, moves the handle area into the lower storage position. The combination tool thus represents, in particular, an application tool with active handle positioning.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the combination tool can additionally be designed to remove the at least one packaging blank from the magazine and apply it directly to the article assembly, forming the handle area in the storage position.

[0062] Alternatively, a removal device in the form of a handling device or a robot can be provided, which removes the at least one packaging blank from the magazine and transfers it to a combination tool within the application module.

[0063] A further alternative embodiment may provide for the folding or pressing of the handle area downwards to occur before the packaging blank is applied to the article assembly. In particular, a preparation tool may be provided for this purpose, which prepares the packaging blank by folding or pressing it in certain areas, so that the handle area extends downwards from a surface forming the top side of the packaging blank, which is essentially horizontal in the applied state.

[0064] The packaging blank prepared in this way is then applied to the article assembly, with the downwardly extending handle area being arranged between the articles of the article assembly in the storage position.

[0065] The packaging units produced by the packaging device or by the method can, in particular, be in a storage form or a carrying form. In the storage form, the handle area is located in the lower storage position described above.

[0066] In the carrying form, the handle area is in a so-called carrying position, in which the handle area extends upwards, at least in part, relative to a surface of the packaging blank that forms the top of the packaging unit. In particular, the handle area extends upwards beyond the tops of the articles. To transfer the packaging unit from the storage form to the carrying form, the user, for example, the buyer or end customer, grasps the handle area, which extends downwards in the storage position, and pulls it upwards.

[0067] This storage method has the particular advantage that the handle area does not have to be pushed aside in the conventional manner when palletizing the packaging units, but rests at least partially on the items. Such an arrangement of the handle area would lead to an uneven top surface of a layer arrangement or palletizing layer comprising several items.

[0068] The handle areas, which at least partially rest on the top sides of the articles, protrude upwards from a second horizontal plane, which is formed by the top sides of the articles. Such an irregular top surface of the layer arrangement or palletizing layer leads to unstable pallet stacks when the pallet layers are stacked on top of each other.

[0069] It can further be provided that the handle area of ​​the packaging blank comprises first fixing elements or that first fixing elements are assigned to the handle area. These first fixing elements can engage with second fixing elements of the packaging blank when folded or pressed downward, wherein the first fixing elements, in particular, lock with the second fixing elements, so that the handle area is at least partially fixed in the lower storage position.

[0070] In particular, the locking connection formed in this way is designed to be easily detachable, so that the user can release it easily and without any particular effort when pulling up the handle area in the storage position.

[0071] The invention described here provides, in particular, that a handle area of ​​a packaging blank combining at least two articles is actively moved into a so-called lower storage position during the application of the packaging blank to an article assembly or following application of the packaging blank to an article assembly, in which storage position the handle area is below the maximum article height. This avoids disruptions during subsequent layer formation and palletizing that would arise due to handle areas that protrude beyond the top sides of the articles. In particular, this can prevent the development of skewed positions during the palletizing of corresponding packaging units, for example during the palletizing of so-called Litepac Top Strap containers with special bottle geometries.

[0072] 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.

[0073] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a packaging device.

[0074] Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of a method for producing packaging units in perspective view.

[0075] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a further process step of the process sequence shown in Fig. 2 for producing packaging units.

[0076] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a packaging device.

[0077] Identical reference numerals are used for identical or equivalently functioning elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the invention can be implemented and do not constitute an exhaustive limitation.

[0078] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a packaging device 1 for producing packaging units 25 and Figures 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of a method for producing packaging units 25, in particular by means of a packaging device 1 shown in Fig. 1. The packaging units 25 produced within the packaging device 1 and / or by means of the method comprise at least one article assembly 21 consisting of at least two articles 20, on which article assembly 21 at least one packaging blank 30 is arranged.

[0079] The packaging blank has at least two through-openings 32 for the at least two articles 20. The packaging blank 30 holds the articles 20 together in the neck or head region 22. This fixes the articles 20 in their relative positions to one another within the packaging unit 25.

[0080] Preferably, the packaging blank 30 is formed to be flat at least in some areas and comprises at least two passage openings 32 for the at least two articles 20 in the flat area 31 or in the flat areas 31.

[0081] Furthermore, it is provided that the packaging blank 30 comprises a handle region 33, which handle region 33 is formed between the at least two passage openings 32.

[0082] The packaging device 1 comprises an application module 5 for applying the at least one packaging blank 30 to the article assembly 21 and a tool 7 for at least partially moving the handle area 33 into a lower storage position 40 (see Fig. 3).

[0083] The articles 20 may be containers, in particular bottles 23 made of PET or another suitable plastic, glass, etc. (see Figures 2 to 5). Preferably, the articles 20 or containers may also be formed by cans made of plastic and / or aluminum or another metal, or similar.

[0084] However, the packaging device 1 and the method are also suitable for arranging and securing a corresponding packaging blank 30 to other suitable articles 20, for example to barrels or the like.

[0085] The article 20 or container may consist of more than 70% glass, metal, in particular sheet metal, or a plastic, in particular PET, or a fibrous material. The fibrous material may, for example, contain cellulose. In particular, the at least one article 20 may be a liquid container, in particular a beverage container.

[0086] In particular, the article 20 or container may have a bulge or bead extending at least partially along its circumference, preferably in its upper region.

[0087] According to a preferred embodiment, the article 20 is substantially cylindrical and / or conical, as is the case with commercially available bottles 23 and cans.

[0088] For example, the article 20 is cylindrical in some areas and conical in some areas. Preferably, the article 20 can be cylindrical in a lower area and conical in an upper area. A direct transition between the cylindrical and conical areas can be provided.

[0089] However, a region with a reduced cross-sectional area may also be provided between the cylindrical and conical regions. Further embodiments are known to those skilled in the art and are also intended to be encompassed by the application.

[0090] The packaging blank 30 is, in particular, a so-called top-clip carton package, also known as a "top clip." The packaging blank 30 preferably consists of a fibrous material, for example, a cardboard material or a plastic material, a cardboard-plastic composite material, or similar.

[0091] Preferably, the packaging blank 30 has at least two through-openings 32 for the at least one article 20 in a flat region 31. According to the embodiment shown here in Fig. 1, in which two bottles 23 are combined with one packaging blank 30, the packaging blank 30 has two through-openings 31 for the two bottles 23 in the at least one flat region 31.

[0092] According to one embodiment of the packaging blanks 30, the

[0093] The through-openings 32 have suitable fixing devices (not shown), which can be formed, for example, by fixing tabs. For example, the fixing tabs are formed by incisions or the like extending radially from the openings.

[0094] For example, the packaging blank 30 can have the same basic shape and some or all of the illustrated elements as the packaging template described in utility model DE 20 2012 103 324 U1. Alternatively or additionally, the packaging blank can be equipped with fixing tabs, as described and illustrated in published patent application WO 2021 / 043632 A1.

[0095] Preferably, after the packaging blank 30 has been applied and secured, a defined upper region 26 of the articles 20 is located above the packaging blank 30, while a defined lower region 27 of the articles 20 is arranged below the packaging blank 30. In the case of bottles 23, the defined upper region 26 is preferably formed by their neck or head region 22.

[0096] For the sake of simplicity, the following refers to at least two articles 20, whereby this term should in principle also include groups of articles or sets of articles 21 in which more than two articles 20 are combined via at least one corresponding packaging cut-out 30.

[0097] The position of the packaging blank 30 on the articles 20 of the article set 21 is shown only schematically. For the exact positioning of the packaging blank 30 on the articles 20, please refer in particular to the general description.

[0098] In a single-partition module 2, at least two articles 20 are combined to form article sets 21. The at least two articles 20 can also be arranged on so-called trays, pads, or similar.

[0099] The articles 20 are fed to the dividing module 2 via a suitable transport device 3. The feeding takes place, for example, in a random mass flow or in an orderly manner, in which the articles 20 are moved, for example, in a row or in parallel rows.

[0100] The dividing module 2 can, for example, have a retaining divider (not shown). The article assemblies 21 assembled in the dividing module 2 are fed via a feed device 4 to the application module 5 for the application of at least one packaging blank 30. The feed device 4 can extend into the application module 5 and move the article assemblies 21 in the transport direction TR.

[0101] The transport device 3 and / or the feed device 4 can, for example, be suitable conveying means in the form of an endless conveyor belt or similar.

[0102] After application of the packaging blank 30 to the bottles 23 of the article assembly 21, in particular after arrangement and fastening of the packaging blank 30 to the bottles 23 of the article assembly 21, the packaging blank 30 engages with the bottles 23 in such a way that it is essentially fixed to the bottles 23 and the bottles 23 can no longer make any significant relative movements or changes in position relative to one another or to the packaging blank 30.

[0103] Thus, the packaging blank 30 can only be removed from the bottles 23 of the article assembly 21 with increased force and in particular with an upwardly directed force component, wherein the packaging blank 30 is generally at least partially destroyed or rendered unusable.

[0104] Preferably, the packaging blanks 30 are provided in a flat form 34 in a magazine 6 assigned to the application module 5.

[0105] Furthermore, a handling device 45, for example a robot 46, is provided, which removes at least one packaging blank 30 from the magazine 6.

[0106] According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the handling device 45 is also designed as an application tool 47 for applying the at least one detected packaging blank 30 to at least one article assembly 21 in such a way that the handle region 33, according to the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, first extends upwards from at least two flat regions 31 of the packaging blank 30 (see Figure 2). The application module 5 comprises a tool 7, which tool 7 is designed to at least partially move the handle region 33 of the packaging blank 30 applied to the article assembly 21 into a lower storage position 40 (see Figure 3).

[0107] Alternatively, it can be provided that the tool 7 is arranged downstream of the application module 5, in particular that the tool 7 is arranged downstream of the application module 5 in the transport direction TR of the articles 20 combined with the packaging blank 30 to form packaging units 25.

[0108] Preferably, the tool 7 is formed by a gripping tool 8, which gripping tool 8 is designed to clamp the upwardly extending handle region 33 (see Fig. 2) and to press the gripped handle region 33 downwards. In this case, the handle region 33 is pressed downwards relative to at least one flat region 31 of the packaging blank 30. In particular, the handle region 33 is pressed downwards relative to two flat regions 31 of the packaging blank 30. The at least one flat region 31 forms an upper side 35 of the packaging blank 30 (see Fig. 3) in a so-called storage form 41 of the packaging unit 25 (see Fig. 3). This upper side 35 of the packaging blank 30 lies in particular in a first horizontal plane 28, which is formed and / or arranged below the neck or head region 22 of the bottles 23.

[0109] The tool 7 can be designed, in particular, as a stamping tool 9 that presses the handle region 33 downward relative to at least one flat region 31 forming the upper side 35 of the packaging blank 30. In particular, the stamping tool 9 can comprise a V-shaped stamping region or a W-shaped stamping region (not shown) for this purpose.

[0110] The article assemblies 21 combined with the packaging blank 30, in particular the packaging units 25 with a recessed handle area 33, are preferably subsequently assembled into layer arrangements in a layer formation module 10, for example, using suitable gantry robots, tripods, articulated robots, or other suitable devices. These layer arrangements are compressed, thereby creating palletizable layers, which can be fed to a palletizing device 11 and combined into pallet stacks.

[0111] In the method for producing packaging units 25 illustrated in connection with Figures 2 and 3, the handle region 33 formed between the at least two through-openings 32 is moved to a lower storage position 40 after the packaging blank 30 has been applied to the articles 20. In this storage position 40, the handle region 33 extends downwards from at least one flat region 31 forming the upper side 35 of the packaging blank 30. The packaging units 25 with the recessed handle region 33 form a so-called storage form 41.

[0112] This storage form 41 has the particular advantage that the handle area 33 does not have to be pushed sideways in the conventional manner during palletizing of the packaging units 25. In this case, the handle area would rest at least partially on the upper sides 29 of the articles 20 and, in particular, would protrude upwards beyond a second horizontal plane 50, which second horizontal plane 50 is formed by the upper sides 29 of the articles 20. This would result in an irregular upper side of the packaging units 25, which would lead to unstable pallet stacks when the pallet layers are stacked on top of one another.

[0113] In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the folding or downward pressing of the handle area 33 only takes place after the application of the packaging blank 30 to the articles 20.

[0114] A further embodiment can provide that the folding or the downward pressing of the handle region 33 is carried out with a preparation tool (not shown), which prepares the packaging blank 30 by folding or pressing it down in certain areas, so that the handle region 33 extends from at least one forming flat region 31, starting from the plane of the at least one flat region 31.

[0115] In this context, the first horizontal plane 28 is not mentioned, since, depending on the spatial arrangement of the packaging blank 30, it can be, for example, a vertical plane or an inclined plane. The packaging blank 30 prepared in this way is then applied to the article assembly 21, with the handle area 33, which protrudes from the plane formed by the at least flat area 31, being arranged between the articles 20 of the article assembly 21.

[0116] In particular, it is provided that the packaging unit 25 can be in a carrying form 43 in addition to the storage form 41.

[0117] In the storage form 41, the handle area 33 is located in the lower storage position 40 as described above.

[0118] In contrast, the handle region 33 in the carrying form 43 is in a so-called carrying position 42, in which carrying position 42 the handle region 33 extends upwards, at least in some areas, relative to the at least one flat region 31 forming the upper side of the packaging blank 30.

[0119] In particular, it is provided that the handle area 33 extends upwards beyond the upper sides 29 of the articles 20 in order to facilitate the handling of the packaging units 25 by the end customer and to achieve a high level of carrying comfort.

[0120] In particular, the packaging unit 25 can be transferred from the storage form 41 into the carrying form 43 by the user pulling the handle area 33 located in the storage position 40 upwards into a carrying position 42.

[0121] The resulting carrying shape 43 of the packaging unit 25 essentially corresponds to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, as it exists before the handle area 33 is folded or pressed downwards.

[0122] Figures 2 and 3 further show that the handle region 33 can comprise first fixing elements 36, which first fixing elements 36 can engage with second fixing elements 37 of the packaging blank 30 when folded or pressed downward. In particular, the first fixing elements 36 can lock with the second fixing elements 37 to fix the handle region 33 in the storage position 40.

[0123] In particular, the locking connection 38 formed thereby is designed to be easily detachable, so that the user or end customer can release it easily and without any particular effort when grasping and pulling up the handle area 33 located in the storage position 40.

[0124] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a packaging device 1. The description of this second embodiment essentially focuses only on the differences from the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. For a description of the remaining components and modules of the packaging device 1, reference is made to the description of Fig. 1.

[0125] In this second embodiment, it is provided that the folding or the downward pressing of the handle region 33 in order to transfer it into the storage position 40 takes place in temporal connection with the application of the packaging blank 30 to the article assembly 21, in particular substantially simultaneously.

[0126] For this purpose, for example, a combination tool 49 is provided, which is designed such that it grasps the at least one packaging blank 30, applies it to the at least one article assembly 21, and thereby moves the handle area 33 into the lower storage position 40 (see Fig. 3). The combination tool 49 thus represents an application tool with active handle positioning.

[0127] In particular, the combination tool 49 is thus suitable for producing a packaging unit 25 as shown in Fig. 3 directly during the application of the packaging blank 30 to the article assembly.

[0128] In this case, it can be provided that the combination tool 49 removes the at least one packaging blank 30 directly from the magazine 6.

[0129] Alternatively, a removal device 48 can be provided, for example in the form of a robot or the like, which removes the at least one packaging blank 30 from the magazine 6 and transfers it to the combination tool 49.

[0130] In addition, the following context should be noted. In order for the articles 20 to maintain their relative alignment and / or spacing when the handle area 33 is moved to a lower storage position, they must be held together either by a tool or by a previously applied packaging material when the handles are moved to the lower storage position. Suitable packaging materials include, for example, an adhesive bond, a banderol, a bottle protection net, a tray, or a two-layer packaging blank.

[0131] The banderoles can essentially consist of plastic, paper or a composite material.

[0132] The bottle protection net can essentially be made of plastic, paper or a composite material.

[0133] The trays can essentially be made of plastic, cardboard or a composite material.

[0134] The packaging blanks can essentially consist of plastic or cardboard.

[0135] The embodiments, examples, and variants of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description and the figures, including their various views or respective individual features, may be used independently of one another or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless the features are incompatible.

[0136] A final note should be given at this point regarding the descriptions of embodiments of the invention, whereby these descriptive passages each refer to the attached drawings. When reference is generally made to "schematic" representations and views in the context of the figures and their descriptions, this in no way means that the figures and their descriptions are of secondary importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. A person skilled in the art will be 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 proportions, which may not be exactly to scale.The figures thus enable the skilled reader, based on the more concretely explained implementations of the method according to the invention and the more concretely explained operation of the device according to the invention, 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. 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.

[0137] Reference symbol

[0138] 1 packaging device

[0139] 2 single-part module

[0140] 3 Transport device

[0141] 4 Feeding device

[0142] 5 Application module

[0143] 6 Magazine

[0144] 7 Tools

[0145] 8 gripping tool

[0146] 9 Stamping tool

[0147] 10 Layer formation module

[0148] 11 Palletizing device

[0149] 20 articles

[0150] 21 Article compilation

[0151] 22 Neck or head area

[0152] 23 bottles

[0153] 25 packaging units

[0154] 26 defined upper area

[0155] 27 defined lower area

[0156] 28 first horizontal plane

[0157] 29 top articles

[0158] 30 Packaging cutting

[0159] 31 flat area

[0160] 32 passage opening

[0161] 33 Handle area

[0162] 34 flat form

[0163] 35 Top of the packaging blank

[0164] 36 first fixing elements

[0165] 37 second fixing elements 38 locking connection

[0166] 40 storage positions

[0167] 41 Storage form

[0168] 42 Carrying position

[0169] 43 T-shape

[0170] 45 Handling device

[0171] 46 robots

[0172] 47 Application tool

[0173] 48 Removal device

[0174] 49 Combination tool

[0175] 50 second horizontal plane

[0176] TR transport direction

Claims

Claims 1. Packaging device (1) for producing packaging units (25), the packaging units (25) comprising an article assembly (21) of at least two articles (20), on which articles (20) at least one packaging blank (30) can be arranged, which packaging blank (30) holds the articles (20) together in a neck or head region (22) of the articles (20) and fixes the articles (20) in their relative positions to one another within the packaging unit (25), which packaging blank (30) has at least two through-openings (32) for the at least two articles (20), wherein a handle region (33) is formed between the at least two through-openings (32), the packaging device (1) comprising • an application module (5) for applying the at least one packaging blank (30) to the article assembly (21), and • a tool (7) for at least partially moving the handle area (33) into a lower storage position (40).

2. Packaging device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the tool (7) is arranged downstream of the application module (5), or wherein the tool (7) forms a component of the application module (5).

3. Packaging device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tool (7) is formed by a gripping tool (8) which is designed to clamp the handle region (33) and to press it downwards relative to at least one surface (31) of the packaging blank (30) forming an upper side of the packaging blank (30).

4. Packaging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tool (7) is formed by a stamping tool (9) which is designed to press the handle region (33) downwards relative to a surface (31) forming the upper side (35) of the packaging blank (30).

5. Packaging device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the stamping tool (7) comprises a V-shaped or a W-shaped stamping area.

6. Packaging device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging device (1) comprises a layer forming module (10) for creating palletizable layers from the packaging units (25) and a palletizing device (11) for palletizing and stacking the layers.

7. A method for producing packaging units (25), the packaging units (25) comprising an article assembly (21) of at least two articles (20), in which method: • at least one packaging blank (30) is applied to the article (20) of the article compilation (21), which packaging blank (30) holds the articles (20) together in the neck or head area (22) of the articles (20) and fixes the articles (20) in their relative positions to one another within the packaging unit (25), and which packaging blank (30) has at least two passage openings (32) for the at least two articles (20) of the article compilation (21), • wherein at least one handle region (33) formed between the at least two through-openings (32) is moved into a lower storage position (40).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the handle portion (33) is brought into the storage position (40) by folding or by pressing downwards.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the folding or pressing downwards of the handle region (33) takes place after the application of the packaging blank (30) to the article assembly (21).

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the folding or pressing downwards takes place in temporal connection with the application of the packaging blank (30) to the article assembly (21).

11. Method according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the packaging unit (25) can be in a storage form (41) or in a carrying form (43), wherein the handle region (33) in the storage form (41) is located in the lower storage position (40), wherein the handle region (33) in the carrying form (43) is in a carrying position (42).

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the handle region (33) in the carrying position (42) extends upwards at least in regions relative to a surface (28) of the packaging blank (30) forming the upper side of the packaging unit (25).

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the packaging unit (25) is transferred from the storage form (41) by pulling the handle region (33) located in the lower storage position (40) upwards into the carrying form (43).

14. Method according to one of claims 7 to 13, wherein palletizable layers are formed from the packaging units (25), which are subsequently stacked one on top of the other.

15. Method according to one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the handle region (33) comprises first fixing elements (36) or wherein the handle region (33) is assigned first fixing elements (36), which first fixing elements (36) engage in second fixing elements (37) of the packaging blank (30) when folded or pressed downwards.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the first fixing elements (36) engage with the second fixing elements (37) so that the handle region (33) is fixed in the storage position (40).

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