Application tool and method for applying packaging blanks to container groupings

Abstract

The invention relates to an application tool (28) for applying packaging blanks (26) to container groupings (22) previously formed from at least two grouped containers (14) for the purpose of forming packaging units (12). The application tool (28) comprises means for receiving individual packaging blanks (26), for the handling thereof, and for connecting the packaging blanks (26) to the respective containers (14) of the container grouping (22). In addition, the application tool (28) has aligning elements with which those regions of the respective container grouping (22) which are to be connected to the respective packaging blank (26) are positioned. The invention further relates to a method (10) for forming packaging units (12) by applying packaging blanks (26) to container groupings (22). The containers (14) pass through openings in the packaging blank (26). The method provides for the positioning of aligning elements of the application tool (28) in the vicinity of the containers (14) of the respective container grouping (22) which is connected to the respective packaging blank (26).

Description

[0001] Application tool and method for applying packaging blanks to container groups

[0002] The present invention relates to an application tool for applying packaging blanks to groups of containers. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for forming packaging units by applying packaging blanks to groups of containers. The invention also relates to a system for forming packaging units.

[0003] Users have several options when combining individual containers into larger packages. For example, beverage containers are often shrink-wrapped and packaged into units of four, six, or more. Producing such packages is usually unavoidable in practice, as they represent the most common and widely used sales unit for beverage containers. For transport, these packages are sometimes further bundled and / or stacked in layers and palletized.

[0004] Secondary packaging options include shrink wrap for wrapping grouped beverage containers. Alternatively, strapping bundles are available, where several containers are held together with horizontal strapping or banding around their outer surfaces. For this purpose, continuously or intermittently operating strapping machines can group containers or bottles into formations, then strap them together using one or more bands.

[0005] Both secondary packaging types can optionally be combined with packaging inserts applied to the top of the container groups. These inserts, usually made of cardboard, provide additional stability to the container groups or packages and can not only facilitate palletizing but also offer carrying handles to make handling the packaging units easier for end customers. Typical configurations include, for example, 1x2 arrangements (two containers in a row), 2x2 arrangements (four containers in a square or diamond pattern), 3x2, 4x3, or, in principle, variable nxm arrangements.

[0006] Such packaging units, as well as a tool and a method for producing a packaging unit comprising several beverage cans, are described in DE 102019 135 254 A1. In this process, several grouped beverage cans are fitted with a flat packaging blank by pressing the cans into openings in the blank to create force-fit and / or form-fit connections.

[0007] Such packaging blanks can be used for both cans and bottles, and can optionally be held together with a strap or band.

[0008] Even if container groups are already equipped with bands, problems can sometimes arise when attaching packaging inserts. Such problems can occur particularly with very thin-walled and therefore less dimensionally stable plastic containers whose contents are not pressurized due to weak or no gassing. Consequently, such containers offer little resistance to external forces, such as those typically encountered when applying packaging inserts. Since the packaging inserts are usually snapped onto the tops of the containers under defined application forces, this leads to a lack of dimensional stability, especially with thin-walled plastic containers containing ungassed or weakly gassed liquid contents. This, in turn, can cause disruptions in the packaging and application processes.

[0009] To prevent unwanted deformation or displacement of the container tops when applying packaging blanks to groups of containers, DE 102019 133468 A1 proposes a packaging device and a method for producing packaging units with multiple containers by applying flat packaging blanks. A stabilizing element is provided in a packaging module, which is placed against the containers and stabilizes and fixes their shape while the packaging blank is pressed on.

[0010] While it can be critical for subsequent processes if the

[0011] Containers within a group do not occupy an exact predetermined position, or if they are slightly delocalized relative to a position expected for subsequent processing, as this can particularly disrupt application processes for applying packaging blanks, since the application heads used for this purpose require an exact placement position in order to operate without interference.

[0012] However, in many cases it is neither necessary nor desirable to contact or fix the containers for this purpose, as is provided for in the procedure according to DE 102019 133468 A1.

[0013] The primary objective of the present invention can be seen as optimizing a packaging process for the production of packaging units and a correspondingly usable application tool in such a way that the application of packaging blanks can take place with as few impairments as possible and with the highest degree of precision, even with flexible and not very dimensionally stable containers that are to be combined into packaging units.

[0014] This objective is achieved by a method and an application tool for producing packaging units, which include the features of the respective independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are described by the respective dependent claims.

[0015] To achieve the aforementioned objective, the present invention proposes an application tool with the features of the independent claim, which serves to produce packaging units, each formed by at least two grouped containers held together optionally by at least one strapping band or by a band. The strapping band can, for example, hold together two, four, or six grouped containers, or optionally other numbers of containers. However, the application tool is equally suitable for applying packaging blanks to container groupings where the containers are not held together by bands or strapping.

[0016] Using the application tool according to the invention, packaging blanks can be applied to the containers of a container grouping, in particular to the tops of container groups previously formed from at least two grouped containers, for the purpose of forming packaging units or containers. For this purpose, the application tool is designed and equipped in such a way that it can pick up and handle individual packaging blanks and connect them to the respective containers of the container grouping.

[0017] Furthermore, the application tool according to the invention has positioning and / or alignment elements with which those areas of the containers of the respective container grouping that are to be connected with the respective packaging blank can be positioned; in particular, the tops of the containers of the respective container grouping can be positioned and / or held in defined positions by means of the positioning and / or alignment elements.

[0018] For this purpose, the application tool can be equipped with suitably designed and shaped positioning and / or alignment elements that hold and / or fix in defined positions those areas of the respective container grouping to be connected with the respective packaging blank. The areas of the containers held and / or fixed in this way can be, in particular, their tops, lid sections, or neck areas, as these are most likely to be subject to undesirable deformation during the application of the packaging blanks.

[0019] The application tool can be designed in such a way that the positioning and / or alignment elements are each equipped with centering surfaces with which those areas of the tops of the containers of the respective container grouping, which are to be connected with the respective packaging blank, are held in defined position areas and / or can be fixed in defined positions.

[0020] The alignment elements of the application tool can, for example, be movably positioned on slide guides in a direction transverse to the application direction of the packaging blank, either against or away from the container grouping. This ensures that the centering surfaces of the alignment elements at least partially engage and / or prevent from shifting those upper areas of the containers during the application of the packaging blank. The precise positioning of these areas is critical for the correct application of the packaging blank, and they are particularly susceptible to deformation when the packaging blank is pressed down. These centering surfaces can be formed, in particular, by half-open, funnel-shaped centering surfaces or similar features.

[0021] Especially with ungassed or slightly gassed liquids in the containers, the bottle necks and upper parts of the containers can shift during the application of the packaging inserts, even if the containers in the group to be fitted with the inserts are already strapped or banded together. Therefore, sufficiently precise positioning of the container necks for applying the packaging insert, also known as a top clip, can be questionable in practice.

[0022] The application tool described here features a pre-centering element that can be added to the packaging blank and, for example, moved underneath it. By means of suitable shaping, such as bevels in corresponding alignment elements positioned beneath the packaging blank at the appropriate time, the bottle or container heads can be centered during the application of the packaging blank before they pass through the designated openings, particularly creating snap-fit ​​connections.

[0023] This functionality reveals an important aspect of the present invention: the bottles or containers are precisely positioned beneath the packaging blank during the application process. The application head grips the packaging blank during the application process and then releases it, specifically through the horizontal separation of the corresponding parts of the application tool or application head, once the blank has been pressed onto the containers. In this way, at least during the actual application process, a precise spatial relationship between the containers and the application tool, and thus also to the packaging blank, is ensured at all times, since the packaging blank is also held in a defined position within the application tool.This reliably prevents mispositioning and / or displacement of the containers during the application process of the packaging blank.

[0024] Another advantage of the positioning and / or alignment elements described here is that they effectively prevent a folded packaging blank from detaching from the vacuum-operated holding surfaces of the application tool and thus falling off the tool on its way to the container grouping.

[0025] As mentioned previously, the alignment elements can be equipped with the aforementioned funnel-shaped centering surfaces, which should be adapted to the container contours to achieve the desired support and centering effect. When positioning the alignment elements, these funnel-shaped centering surfaces can be placed precisely where the openings in the main surfaces of the packaging blank are located. These openings are through which the respective tops of the containers pass when the packaging blank is to be attached to the container group from above.

[0026] In the respective centers of the funnel-shaped centering surfaces, the openings of the packaging blank are located in this positioning of the alignment elements. This ensures that, immediately before the tops of the containers pass through the openings, the container lids or upper sections of the containers are held in their respective positions by the funnel-shaped centering surfaces and prevented from shifting. In this way, even lightly fumigated, unfumigated, and flexible containers can be fitted with packaging blanks without the containers deforming in an undesirable way, which could potentially impair the packaging result and, depending on the container's flexibility, even prevent the proper application of the packaging blank.

[0027] The funnel-shaped centering surfaces, however, sensibly only encompass about half a circle's diameter, since the corresponding holding elements, each equipped with three parallel semicircular centering surfaces (for a container grouping consisting of six containers), must be moved horizontally along their longitudinal directions according to designated guides in order to approach the containers at their upper ends. If the centering surfaces each had the contours of closed circular funnels, such a lateral positioning movement would not be possible.

[0028] An approach of the alignment elements from above towards the containers would also be impossible, as the packaging blank, held by the retaining elements, is already located there and is to be placed onto the container group from above. For this reason, and because an approach from below is also ruled out due to the typical container shapes with their upwardly tapered neck sections, the alignment elements can be designed, for example, as flat or cuboid alignment bodies, whose flat sides each have an approximately horizontal orientation and a length sufficient to accommodate three parallel, funnel-shaped centering surfaces.

[0029] These three parallel, funnel-shaped centering surfaces point downwards during normal operation of the application tool and their diameters open downwards towards the containers. Of course, fewer than three such funnel-shaped centering surfaces can also be provided in the alignment element, for example, for handling smaller groups of containers. Alternatively, more than three such funnel-shaped centering surfaces can also be provided in the alignment element, for example, for handling larger groups of containers.

[0030] To achieve the above-formulated objective, the present invention proposes, in addition to the application tool described in various embodiments, a method with the features of the independent method claim, which serves as a method for the production of packaging units, each of which is formed by at least two grouped containers.

[0031] In the method according to the invention, the packaging units are produced by applying packaging blanks to container groups previously formed from at least two grouped containers, which can be done, for example, by placing a packaging blank on the top of each container in a direction that is oriented approximately parallel to the vertical longitudinal center axes of the containers of the container grouping.

[0032] The packaging blanks are picked up and handled by an application tool and connected to the respective containers of the container grouping by means of the application tool, whereby the containers pass at least partially through openings in the packaging blank. Furthermore, the process involves positioning container centering or alignment elements of the application tool near the containers of the respective container grouping to which the respective packaging blank is connected.

[0033] In this process, the containers can be held in their position and contour, for example by gripping their tops, or alternatively simply by providing supportive stabilization. This creates a supporting effect to prevent excessive deformation of the containers when a packaging blank is applied. Holding and / or aligning the containers is achieved using the aforementioned alignment elements.

[0034] For these alignment measures, it is not strictly necessary to establish contact between the containers and the centering unit. Such contact is particularly useful in applications where the containers are not correctly positioned before the blank is applied, or where the containers shift slightly during application. Contact can be especially beneficial with very unstable containers, for example, due to a lack of gassing of the liquid contents, as such thin-walled containers can easily deform or compress during the application of the blank. In all other cases, it may be more practical to simply limit the possible movement of the containers before and during the application of the packaging blank.

[0035] The method according to the invention can, in particular, provide that the areas of the respective container grouping to be connected with the respective packaging blank are held within defined position ranges for the application of the packaging blank by means of the container centering or alignment elements of the application tool. Alternatively, the areas of the respective container grouping to be connected with the respective packaging blank can be fixed in defined positions, as described above.

[0036] According to a further embodiment of the inventive method, the container centering or alignment elements of the application tool can each be equipped with suitable centering surfaces in which those areas of the tops of the containers of the respective container grouping, which are to be connected with the respective packaging blank, are held in defined position areas and / or fixed in defined positions, so that their deflection or compression effects can be prevented.

[0037] The holding elements with the centering surfaces can preferably be positioned towards the containers in a direction approximately perpendicular to the application direction of the packaging blank. In summary, some process steps of the method for forming packaging units, already outlined above, are reiterated below. Typically, a packaging blank in its unfolded or slightly pre-folded state is first picked up by the holding elements of the application tool, for example, by suction using a vacuum. The holding elements can preferably be spaced apart horizontally by a defined amount and not at their minimum distance, so that the packaging blank held by suction or otherwise is usually not yet completely folded at its creases.

[0038] However, the process can also be used to apply unfolded packaging blanks, eliminating the need for pre-folding. Horizontal adjustability of the holding elements in the application tool is also unnecessary in this case.

[0039] If the openings in the packaging blank are to be arranged in a configuration corresponding to the spacing of the container lids and the tops of the containers in the respective container group, which can be achieved by bringing the two main surfaces of the packaging blank, separated by the fold lines, closer together so that the packaging blank is shaped to fit onto the container group, the retaining elements must be brought closer together. This can be accomplished by activating the designated actuators, or at least one actuator. Suitable actuators include, for example, small electric drives, pneumatic actuators, linear actuators, or similar devices that can be integrated into the application tool.

[0040] If there is a risk that the containers are not in the positions required for the application of the packaging blank, or that they threaten to shift due to their lack of dimensional stability, it may be necessary to activate the alignment elements provided according to the invention. These elements can either contact the containers at a suitable point or at least limit the extent of any shifting movements by allowing only a minimal range of movement and deflection. To achieve this, the alignment elements can, for example, be equipped with molded-in funnel-shaped centering surfaces, each adapted to the contours of the containers.To enable the alignment elements to function as described, they can preferably also be moved laterally relative to each other, which can be achieved using appropriate actuators. Furthermore, it can be advantageous to ensure that the alignment elements are synchronized in their movements in opposite directions by suitable means. For this purpose, for example, coordinated controllable actuators or a linkage system or similar devices may be suitable.

[0041] A further advantage of the adjustable alignment elements is that the packaging blank, which is drawn onto the holding elements by vacuum and held in place, can be further secured by the aligned elements positioned against each other, preventing it from falling. This is because the alignment elements are normally guided directly along the packaging blank. This effectively prevents a folded packaging blank from detaching from the vacuum on the holding elements of the application tool and thus falling off the tool on its way to the container grouping.

[0042] Furthermore, the present invention comprises a system for forming packaging units, which will be described and defined below. The system includes at least one grouping station for forming container groups, each consisting of a defined number of containers, and an application station located downstream of the grouping station in a conveying direction for equipping the container groups with at least one packaging blank, which application station is equipped with at least one application tool according to one of the previously described embodiments.

[0043] The system further includes a layer formation station located downstream of the application station in the conveying direction for creating palletizable layer arrangements of several packaging units. Additionally, the system can include a palletizing station located downstream of the layer formation station in the conveying direction for stacking and palletizing the layer arrangements formed in the layer formation station with the packaging units.

[0044] Since the containers treated and packaged in connection with the present invention can be, in particular, thin-walled plastic containers, e.g., made of stretch-blown PET plastic, their low dimensional stability can pose a problem when applying packaging blanks, depending on their contents. In particular, the containers can be made of very thin-walled material that is elastic to a certain extent at room temperature. For example, the containers can be formed by thin-walled plastic bottles with a petaloid-shaped base. Typically, such bottles are used as containers, with an average wall thickness between one hundredth and one millimeter, preferably between 0.05 mm and 0.5 mm, and particularly preferably between approximately 0.2 mm and 0.3 mm.

[0045] It is easy to understand that without gassing or carbonation of the liquid inside, its shape-stabilizing effect is lost, which can lead to the aforementioned problems of the containers shifting or buckling when packaging blanks are applied. Since certain pressure forces are necessary to attach and snap into place the typically used packaging blanks made of flat and sufficiently strong cardboard material, there is a general risk of deforming the containers, especially if they lack the necessary shape stability.

[0046] It should be expressly mentioned here that all aspects and embodiments explained in connection with the application tool according to the invention equally relate to or can constitute partial aspects of the inventive method for forming the packaging units. Therefore, whenever certain aspects, relationships, and / or effects are mentioned in the description or in the claim definitions for the application tool according to the invention, this applies equally to the method according to the invention.

[0047] Conversely, the same applies, meaning that all aspects and embodiments explained in connection with the method according to the invention also relate to, or can relate to, aspects of the application tool according to the invention. Therefore, whenever certain aspects, relationships, and / or effects are mentioned in the description or in the claim definitions of the method according to the invention, this applies equally to the application tool according to the invention. These principles apply equally to the system according to the invention, since it is equipped with at least one application tool as defined above and is also suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention.

[0048] The following exemplary embodiments of the invention and its advantages will be explained 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 relative sizes, as some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged for better illustration.

[0049] Fig. 1 shows in a schematic representation successive process steps of a method according to the invention for the formation of packaging units.

[0050] Figures 2A and 2B each show schematic side views of a variant embodiment of an application tool that can be used in the method according to Fig. 1.

[0051] Figures 20 to 2F show the application tool according to Figures 2A and 2B in various schematic perspective views.

[0052] Fig. 3 shows in a further schematic representation several interacting components of a system according to the invention for the formation of packaging units.

[0053] For identical or similarly acting elements of the invention, the following figure description generally uses the same reference numerals. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, in many cases only those reference numerals are used in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments merely represent examples of how the application tool, the method, or the system according to the invention may be designed and do not constitute an exhaustive limitation. Moreover, the features described below are not to be understood as closely related to other features of the respective embodiment, but may be provided for or used in a general context.

[0054] A variant of a method 10 according to the invention for forming packaging units 12 is illustrated by means of the schematic representation in Fig. 1 and is described below in its most important details. While the finished packaging units 12 are shown on the far right of Fig. 1, several containers 14 are shown on the left, which can be formed in particular by PET beverage containers known per se, into which a defined volume of a beverage was previously filled, after which the containers 14 were sealed gas-tight, namely with container lids 16 screwed onto the top.

[0055] The containers 14 can, for example, be transported to a grouping station 20 by means of suitable transport equipment, such as the horizontal conveyors 18 shown here only, and grouped there in such a way that container groups 22 are formed with defined numbers of containers and arrangements of the containers 14 relative to each other. The containers 14 can be transported in large numbers and in continuous transport by means of the horizontal conveyors 18 and conveyed to the grouping station 20 in a defined transport direction 24, optionally in a single-row transport, in a multi-row transport, or in a mass flow.

[0056] In order to further process the containers 14 in the form of the container groupings 22 assembled by means of the grouping station 20 into packaging units 12, the method 10 provides for the application of packaging blanks 26, which are attached to the container groupings 22 by means of application tools 28, whereby the individual containers 14 of the respective container grouping 22 can be mechanically grouped together and held in their respective relative positions to each other.

[0057] As schematically indicated in Fig. 1, a suitably equipped and designed application tool 28 applies a packaging blank 26 to the tops 30 of the respective container grouping 22 by placing and pressing the packaging blank 26 onto the tops 30 of the containers 14 in a direction that is oriented approximately parallel to the vertical longitudinal center axes of the containers 14 of the container grouping 22, i.e., in the usual upright transport and handling manner of the containers 14 in a vertical direction from top to bottom, as the arrow below the packaging blank 26 is intended to illustrate.

[0058] In the method 10 described here as an example, the packaging blanks 26 are first picked up and handled by the application tool 28 and then connected to the respective containers 14 of the previously formed container grouping 22 by means of the application tool 28, by the containers 14 passing at least partially through openings in the packaging blank 26.

[0059] Such packaging blanks 26, which may be made, for example, from a sufficiently sturdy cardboard material, are typically equipped with a number of openings corresponding to the positions of the individual containers 14 in the container grouping 22. The packaging blanks 26 may, for example, be produced from a sheet of cardboard by a die-cutting process. Printing is possible, as are coloring and / or other applications, for example, in the form of design elements and / or carrying handles, etc.

[0060] The container grouping 22 to be equipped with the packaging blank 26 can, for example, be formed by a total of six containers 14 pushed together in a rectangular arrangement and touching each other, so that the container lids 16 are positioned at defined regular intervals from each other on the upper surfaces 30 of the containers 14. These positions therefore also correspond to the openings in the packaging blank 26, which can be made there, for example, by means of punching.

[0061] When the packaging blank 26 is placed onto the container grouping 22, the containers 14 then pass through the openings with their upper sides 30, so that the container lids 16 typically protrude from the packaging blank 26, while the remaining areas of the containers 14 are located below the packaging blank 26. Preferably, the openings can facilitate the locking of the containers 14, e.g., by a corresponding design of the opening edges, which can be provided with a plurality of short radial incisions that deform when the containers 14 pass through and enable the desired locking action.

[0062] It should be noted here that the container groups 22 can optionally be equipped beforehand with strapping, a band encircling the outer surfaces and holding the containers 14 of the group 22 together, or the like, before the packaging blank 26 is applied to the tops 30 of the containers 14 of the group 22 in the manner described and schematically shown in Fig. 1. However, such strapping or banding is not shown here. In principle, the grouping station 20 ensures sufficiently precise positioning of the individual containers 14 within the respective container group 22, so that additional measures to guarantee the precise and error-free application of the packaging blanks 26 are not absolutely necessary. For containers 14 that are filled with a liquid or...However, if the containers 14 remain ungassed with a beverage or are only weakly gassed, shape deviations of the containers 14 may occur when the packaging blanks 26 are pressed on and when the tops 30 of the containers 14 pass through the openings in the packaging blank 26.

[0063] The lack of internal pressure in the containers can lead to more or less pronounced deviations in shape during handling. Under certain circumstances, and particularly due to the often very thin plastic material of the thin-walled containers 14, undesirable movements of the containers 14 may also occur, meaning that flawless application of the packaging blanks 26 cannot be guaranteed under all circumstances.

[0064] For this reason, and especially for these cases of weakly fumigated, unfumigated and / or very thin-walled containers 14, the inventive method 10 provides for the additional positioning of container centering devices or alignment elements 32 in the vicinity of the containers 14 of the respective container grouping 22, which are to be connected with the respective packaging blank 26.

[0065] These alignment elements 32 can in particular be assigned to the application tool 28 or be part of the application tool 28 and be designed in such a way that they engage the containers 14 of the container grouping 22 to be equipped with the packaging blank 26 at least during the placement and application of the packaging blank 26 and stabilize and fix their tops 30 and upper areas in place until the packaging blank 26 has been properly placed and connected to the container grouping 22.

[0066] However, in practice it is not mandatory or necessary under all circumstances that the containers 14 of the respective container grouping 22 be contacted by means of the alignment elements 32. Such contacting is generally necessary if the containers 14 of the relevant grouping 22 are not exactly in their intended position even after being assembled in the grouping station 20, e.g., due to a slight displacement or because the containers 14 proved not to be precisely positionable during the formation of the respective grouping 22 due to the lack of stabilizing internal pressure in one or more containers 14.

[0067] Similarly, compression or crushing of the containers 14 during the application of the packaging blanks 26 can be compensated for by means of the alignment elements 32 which contact the containers 14 as required.

[0068] In all other cases, the primary function is simply to ensure that the alignment elements 32 limit the possible movement range of the containers 14, at least in their upper areas which are to be fitted with the packaging blank 26, without the need for contact.

[0069] The alignment elements 32 of the application tool 28 can, in the case of conventional container shapes of the containers 14 to be grouped into packaging units 12, engage with the respective container lids 16 and, for example, rest on them, in order to hold the positions of the container lids 16 and thus also the entire upper areas of the containers 14 in a defined position, as schematically indicated on the right side of Fig. 1. However, it may also suffice for the alignment elements 32 to come very close to the container lids 16 without actually making contact.

[0070] It may also be useful if the alignment elements 32 approach or contact the upper neck areas of the containers 14 to prevent the containers 14 from moving out of position.

[0071] Alternatively, the alignment elements 32 could be designed to engage the upper neck regions of the containers 14, for example, directly below the respective neck rings 34, which have a significantly larger diameter than the neck section of the respective container 14 below and compared to the threaded section of the upper container opening above it. The neck rings 34 are normally remnants of the preforms formed into thin-walled plastic or PET containers using stretch blow molding processes, which can be held and fixed in place in the stretch blow molds by means of these neck rings 34.

[0072] In the present case, these neck rings 34 can be suitable for interaction with the correspondingly designed alignment elements 32, the contours of which will be explained in more detail with reference to Figures 2A to 2F below. According to the embodiment of the application tool 28 shown there, the design of the alignment elements 32 is, however, designed not to interact with the neck rings 34 of the containers 14, but with the container lids 16, whereby a movement stop for the alignment elements 32 can optionally also be formed by the neck rings 34, which, depending on the shape of the alignment elements 32, can prevent further downward pressure of the alignment elements 32 along the longitudinal center axis of the respective containers 14.

[0073] The container groups 22, stabilized in this way by means of the alignment elements 32 of the application tool 28 and equipped with the packaging blank 26 placed on top and locked to the containers 14, which according to the above description were optionally already equipped with a strapping or a banderole (not shown here), form the packaging units 12 to be produced, which are often also referred to as containers.

[0074] Subsequently, these containers or packaging units can be pushed together into larger layer arrangements and then, in particular, palletized.

[0075] What Fig. 1 does not show is the optional folding of the packaging blanks 26 before or during their application to the tops 30 of the containers 14 of the respective container grouping 22, during which the upper parts of the containers 14 are held, in particular by their respective neck rings 34, and / or fixed in their positions by means of the adjustable alignment elements 32. For the positioning and alignment of the packaging blanks 26, it can be advantageous to fold them at defined crease lines, for example, to provide a pull-out handle for later manual handling, which, however, should not protrude upwards when the packaging units 12 are stacked and / or palletized.

[0076] However, such a variant with a packaging blank 26 that can be folded multiple times at defined folding edges can be seen in the figures 2A to 2F described below.

[0077] The schematic side view of Fig. 2A shows part of an embodiment of the application tool 28, which not only allows a packaging blank 26 held there to be applied to the tops 30 of grouped containers 14 to form a packaging unit 12 (see Fig. 1), but also serves to hold the head areas of the containers 14 during the application of the packaging blank 26 by means of alignment elements 32 provided for this purpose.

[0078] Fig. 2A shows the packaging blank 26, which adheres to the underside of contact surfaces of linearly displaceable retaining elements 36 and is pre-folded along a total of five parallel fold lines, which also run parallel to the outer longitudinal edges of the packaging blank 26. Two upward-facing, roof-shaped sections in the central area of ​​the packaging blank 26 meet at a central fold line 38, which also faces upwards. At their lower ends, the upward-facing, roof-shaped sections each continue with further fold lines 40, which each face downwards, i.e., towards the underside of the packaging blank 26.

[0079] Starting from these further fold lines 40 on both sides of the packaging blank 26, there are further sections that point upwards again and to which outer fold lines 42 are connected. Starting from these two outer fold lines 42, the packaging blank 26 continues into outer flat areas, which form the actual main surfaces 44 of the packaging blank 26, in which the openings 58 (see Figures 2D and 2F) are also located, through which the containers 14 with their tops 30 pass when the packaging blank 26 is placed on the container grouping 22 and pressed down there (see Fig. 1).

[0080] While the openings 58 are not visible in the side view of Fig. 2A, this view clearly shows the packaging blank 26, which is fixed essentially by its two outer main surfaces 44 to correspondingly flat undersides of the retaining elements 36. The two retaining elements 36 each have upper slide guides 48 that allow horizontal longitudinal displacement along a defined axis of movement for each of the two retaining elements 36. Each of the slide guides 48 interacts with two horizontal and parallel guide rods 50, thus enabling horizontal displacement of the slide guides 48, together with the retaining elements 36 attached to them, along the horizontally arranged guide rods 50.

[0081] The illustration in Fig. 2A clearly shows that the two slide guides 48 together with the retaining elements 36 arranged below and suspended from them are moved apart by a certain amount and thus spaced apart from each other, so that the packaging blank 26 also has a comparatively flat contour, in which its folding edges 38, 40 and 42 are each folded with folding angles of less than 90° to each other.

[0082] In contrast, the schematic side view of Fig. 2B shows the carriage guides 48 moving relative to each other with their attached retaining elements 36, which results in a strongly folded packaging blank 26, whose central fold edge 38 and whose further fold edges 40 adjoining it on both sides are angled much more sharply than before, namely with fold angles of significantly more than 90° each, with the central fold edge 38 even having a fold angle of only slightly less than 180°, so that the corresponding sections of the packaging blank 26 are very close together, even if they do not touch.

[0083] In contrast, the two main surfaces 44 of the packaging blank 26 continue to have a horizontal orientation and lie flat against the corresponding horizontal undersides of the respective holding elements 36, as illustrated by the hidden lines in Fig. 2B. The illustration in Fig. 2B also shows that the two slide guides 48 have been moved along the guide rods 50 that support them to inner stops within the application tool 28, so that they thus occupy a minimal distance.

[0084] These stops are formed by the vertical longitudinal side surfaces of a central support element 52, in which the two horizontal guide rods 50 are also held, as can be clearly seen in the perspective views of Figures 2C and 2E. These figures each show a view of the components of the application tool 28 described here from a top-down oblique angle. It can also be seen that the central support element 52 is located midway between the two slide guides 48, which can be attached to or removed from it, and the retaining elements 36 arranged on their underside.

[0085] The central support element 52 can sensibly function as one of several upper suspensions for the components of the application tool 28 shown in Figures 2A to 2F, with further such support elements 52 being available to accommodate the same components as shown in Figures 2A to 2F for interaction with a single container grouping 22, so that the application tool 28 can be designed, for example, as a tandem tool.

[0086] Figures 2C and 2E show the guide rods 50 extending upwards to the right, which are held by another such support element 52 located to the right of the components of the application tool 28 described here.

[0087] In reference to the description of Fig. 2B, it should be noted that the horizontal displacement of the two retaining elements 36 for varying their distance, which can be achieved by means of the slide guides 48 which can be moved relative to each other or against each other along the guide rods 50, is provided for the case in which a packaging blank 26 is to be folded in a defined manner at the same time as its application to a container grouping 22, as is described here by way of example and illustrated with reference to Figures 2A to 2F.

[0088] The application tool 28 can optionally also be used for applying packaging blanks 26 that are not folded and / or not folded. In such a case, which is not shown in the drawing, the distance between the holding elements 36 would have to be kept constant, both when picking up a packaging blank 26, which can be taken from a magazine supply and picked up with the application tool 28, and when applying the packaging blank 26, which thus remains flat within a plane, onto a container grouping 22 provided for this purpose.

[0089] In the case of a packaging blank 26 that cannot be folded, the retaining elements 36 can also be mounted in a fixed position in the application tool 28, so that the sliding capability according to the design variant described here and illustrated in the drawing can be omitted.

[0090] The specific design of the alignment elements 32, clearly recognizable in the exemplary embodiment, whose function is not yet fully apparent from Fig. 2A, will be described below with reference to Figures 2B to 2F. In the process phase depicted in Fig. 2A, the alignment elements 32 are each positioned at maximum distance from one another, in which they cannot yet interact with the containers 14 of the grouping 22, onto which the packaging blank 26, held on its underside by the retaining elements 36, is to be pressed. The alignment elements 32 are guided longitudinally displaceably on the same two parallel horizontal guide rods 50 as the retaining elements 36.However, the slide guides 48 of the retaining elements 36 are located between outer slide guides 54 of the alignment elements 32, so that these outer slide guides 54 are guided independently of the previously described slide guides 48 of the retaining elements 36.

[0091] The alignment elements 32, which are held and guided on the outer slide guides 54, are located in positions with minimal distance from each other in the process phase shown in Figures 2B, 2C and 2D, in which they can interact with the containers 14 of the grouping 22, onto which the packaging blank 26, held on the underside by the retaining elements 36, is to be pressed, in a manner according to the invention.

[0092] These positions of the two alignment elements 32, positioned against each other, are particularly evident from the schematic perspective view in Fig. 2D, as this representation provides a view from below at an angle to the components of the application tool 28 of interest here, in which the placement of the alignment elements 32 on the two main surfaces 44 of the packaging blank 26 becomes particularly clear, with funnel-shaped centering surfaces 56 being positioned exactly where the openings 58 in the main surfaces 44 of the packaging blank 26 are located, through which the respective top surfaces 30 of the containers 14 pass when the packaging blank 26 is to be connected to the container grouping 22 from above.

[0093] The openings 58 of the packaging blank 26 are located in the respective centers of the funnel-shaped centering surfaces 56, so that immediately before the tops 30 of the containers 14 pass through the openings 58, the container lids 16 are held in their respective positions by the funnel-shaped centering surfaces 56 and prevented from shifting. In this way, even weakly fumigated, unfumigated, and flexible containers 14 can be fitted with packaging blanks 26 without the containers 14 deforming undesirably, which could potentially impair the packaging result and, depending on the deformability of the containers 14, even prevent the proper attachment of the packaging blank 26.The funnel-shaped centering surfaces 56, however, only encompass about half a circle's diameter, since the corresponding holding elements 32, each equipped with three parallel semicircular centering surfaces 56 (for fitting a container grouping 22 consisting of six containers 14), must be moved horizontally along the longitudinal directions of the guide rods 50 in order to approach the containers 14 at their upper regions. If the centering surfaces 56 each had the contours of closed circular funnels, such a positioning movement, as shown in Fig. 2D, would not be possible.

[0094] An approach of the alignment elements 32 from above towards the containers 14 would also not be possible, since the packaging blank 26, held by the retaining elements 36, is already located there and is to be placed onto the container grouping 22 from above. For this reason, and since an approach from below is also ruled out due to the typical container shapes with their upwardly tapered neck sections, the alignment elements 32 are designed as cuboid alignment bodies 60, as clearly shown in Figures 2D and 2F. The flat sides of these bodies are each approximately horizontal and have a length sufficient to accommodate three parallel, funnel-shaped centering surfaces 56.

[0095] These three parallel, adjacent funnel-shaped centering surfaces 56 point downwards in the regular operation of the application tool 28 and open downwards in their diameters towards the containers 14, even though Figures 2D and 2F show the inverted application tool 28 with the funnel-shaped centering surfaces 56 pointing upwards, as this serves to better understand the individual working elements of the application tool 28.

[0096] The distance between the two parallel horizontal guide rods 50, on which both the holding elements 36 with their slide guides 48 for handling and folding the packaging blank 26 and the outer slide guides 54 with the cuboid alignment bodies 60 of the alignment elements 32 are guided in a variable distance, is sensibly adapted to a typical floor plan of the container grouping 22 to be equipped with the packaging blank 26.

[0097] Figures 2D and 2F clearly show that the cuboid shapes

[0098] Although the alignment bodies 60 and the retaining elements 36 are somewhat wider than the distance between the two guide rods 50, this poses no problem due to the design of the slide guides 48 and 54 and the retaining elements 36 and alignment elements 32 attached to them. The retaining elements 36 are directly connected to the inner slide guides 48, while the cuboid alignment bodies 60 of the alignment elements 32 are each attached to a U-shaped sheet metal cage 62. The flat base 64 of this cage is suspended from below by two outer slide guides 54, so that the narrow end faces of each cuboid alignment body 60 fit between angled flat legs 66 of the U-shaped sheet metal cage 62 and can be secured there.

[0099] The angled legs 66 of the U-shaped sheet metal cage 62 each have an L-shape in a side view, which allows the larger distances of the outer slide guides 54 of the alignment elements 32, which can be adjusted against each other or removed from each other, to be realized in order to provide sufficient adjustment travel for the alignment elements 32 and their distance from the holding elements 36.

[0100] Thus, even when the alignment elements 32 are positioned relative to each other (see Fig. 2C and Fig. 2D), the outer slide guides 54 still maintain a sufficient minimum distance from the inner slide guides 48 with the retaining elements 36 suspended therefrom, since the L-shape of the angled legs 66 of the U-shaped sheet metal cage 62 brings the cuboid alignment bodies 60 of the alignment elements 32 with the funnel-shaped centering surfaces 56 formed therein closer together, so that they can be positioned relative to each other in the manner shown in Figures 20 and 2D, and the centering surfaces 56 can each be brought into concentric positions with the openings 58 of the packaging blank 26, as shown in Fig. 2D.

[0101] Figures 20 and 2E show particularly well the alignment elements 32 which can be adjusted synchronously against each other, which can be adjusted in their distances to each other by means of a single actuator 68 and which are coupled to each other by means of a linkage 70 in such a way that a linear actuating movement of the actuator 68, which acts equally on both alignment elements 32, causes an exactly synchronous opposite actuating movement of both opposite alignment elements 32 which are coupled by means of the linkage 70.

[0102] The linkage 70 is formed by a total of three connecting rods 72 and 74, which are articulated at their respective ends and which also establish a movable connection between the alignment elements 32 and the central support element 52. A longer central connecting rod 72 is mounted centrally on the upper surface of the central support element 52 so as to be freely rotatable, allowing any rotational movements about a vertical axis penetrating the support element 52 within a horizontal plane of rotation.

[0103] At both ends, the central connecting rod 72 is rotatably or pivotably connected to shorter outer connecting rods 74, whereby the respective connecting pivot axes are also vertically oriented and thus allow pivoting movements of the outer connecting rods 74 in respective horizontal pivot planes.

[0104] At their other ends, these shorter outer connecting rods 74 are in turn rotatably coupled to the alignment elements 32, namely by means of a respective anchoring by means of a rotatable bearing 76 in the center of the flat base 64 of the i-shaped sheet metal cage 62, the lateral angled legs 66 of which support the respective cuboid alignment bodies 60 of the alignment elements 32.

[0105] To ensure functionality and correct spacing, a base 78 of appropriate length and with a vertical longitudinal direction is located between the rotatable bearing 76 at the end of each of the shorter outer connecting rods 74 and the flat base 64 of the U-shaped sheet metal cage 62 of the alignment elements 32. This is necessary because the central connecting rod 72 and the outer connecting rods 74 of the linkage 70 are mounted above the support element 52, which necessitates compensating for a significant height difference between the outer connecting rods 74 and the sheet metal cage 62. This height difference is achieved by the two bases 78 on the upper surfaces of the flat sheet metal cages 62 of the alignment elements 32.

[0106] The central mounting of the central connecting rod 72 and the identical lengths of the coupled outer connecting rods 74, as well as their respective identical mountings 76 centrally in the corresponding sheet metal cages 62 of the alignment elements 32, ensure precisely synchronous, opposing linear positioning movements of the two alignment elements 32 with every corresponding change in length of the actuator 68. This actuator 68, formed, for example, by a double-acting pneumatic cylinder or the like, is coupled to the alignment elements 32 at each end by respective upper anchorages 80 on the sheet metal cages 62, so that the horizontally oriented pneumatic cylinder of the actuator 68 is arranged above the sheet metal cages 62 and below the upper leg of the bridge-shaped central support element 52.

[0107] As can be seen in Figures 2C and 2E, one of the two anchors 80 is connected at its end face to the housing of the actuating cylinder of the actuator 68; in these figures, this is the left anchor 80. The right anchor 80, on the other hand, is connected at its end face to a drive rod 82 that can be extended out of (see Fig. 2E) or retracted into (see Fig. 20) the housing of the actuator 68. This drive rod 82, which is extended to achieve maximum distance between the two alignment elements 32, is indicated in Fig. 2E only by a broken line.

[0108] Fig. 2E also shows the approximately extended alignment of the coupling linkage 70 with the coupling rods 72 and 74 being almost in an extended position relative to each other, which, when the drive rod 82 of the actuator 68 is fully extended, characterizes the maximum distance between the alignment elements 32.

[0109] In contrast, Fig. 2C shows the coupling rods 72 and 74 of the coupling linkage 70 pivoted at a sharp angle to each other, which, with the drive rod 82 of the actuator 68 retracted, illustrates the minimum distance between the aligned elements 32, which leads to the desired concentric alignment of the centering surfaces 56 with the openings 58 in the packaging blank 26 (see Fig. 2D), which is necessary for the application of the packaging blank 26 to a provided container grouping 22.

[0110] Figures 2C and 2E also show a further actuator 84, which is responsible for the opposing positioning movements of the holding elements 36 held on the inner slide guides 48 and movable apart or together. This further actuator 84, which is equipped with a smaller actuating cylinder than the larger actuator 68 for the movements of the alignment elements 32, can also be formed, for example, by a double-acting pneumatic cylinder.

[0111] The smaller or further actuator 84 connects the retaining elements 36 in such a way that these can also be moved apart synchronously (see Fig. 2A) or towards each other (see Fig. 2B) in order to bring the foldable packaging blank 26 into a position and a folded state in which it can be placed on the provided container grouping 22 (see Fig. 1) and firmly applied there.

[0112] The activatable and deactivatable fixing means for the packaging blank 26 on the holding elements 36, which are not shown here, can, for example, operate with controllable negative pressure, so that the packaging blank 26 can be removed from a magazine supply or from a stack and fixed to the holding elements 36 by means of activatable suction pressure, in order to be able to be detached from the holding elements 36 after its application to the container grouping 22 by deactivating the negative pressure.

[0113] For this purpose, a series of suction openings or similar fixing means can be provided on the underside of the retaining elements 36.

[0114] Another advantage of the alignment elements 32 is therefore that it effectively prevents a folded packaging blank 26, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, from detaching from the pressure on the holding elements 36 of the application tool 28 and thus falling off the tool 28 on its way to the container grouping 22.

[0115] In summary, some process steps of the method 10 for forming packaging units 12, which is explained in its essential features with reference to Fig. 1, are illustrated again here with reference to Figures 2A to 2F. Normally, a packaging blank 26 is first picked up in its unfolded or slightly pre-folded state according to Fig. 2A by means of the holding elements 36, which can be done, for example, by suction using a vacuum. The holding elements 36 are still spaced apart from each other by a defined amount and not brought to their minimum distance, so that the packaging blank 26 can, for example, have the shape shown by way of example in Fig. 2A at its fold lines 38, 40 and 42.

[0116] If the openings 58 in the packaging blank 26 are to be arranged in a manner corresponding to the distances of the container lids 16 and the tops 30 of the containers 14, which is to be done by appropriately bringing the two main surfaces 44 of the packaging blank 26, separated from each other by the folding edges 42, 44 and 38, into a shape in which it can be placed on the container grouping 22, the retaining elements 36 must be brought into close proximity, which can be done by appropriately activating the further actuator 84.

[0117] Such an alignment and change in shape of the packaging blank 26 with alignment elements 32 still completely spaced apart from each other is illustrated by figures 2E (perspective view from oblique top) and 2F (perspective view from oblique bottom).

[0118] If there is a risk that the containers 14 are not in the position required for the application of the packaging blank 26, or that they threaten to shift due to their lack of dimensional stability, it may be necessary to activate the alignment elements 32 provided according to the invention. These elements can either contact the containers 14 at a suitable point or at least limit the extent of any shifting movements by allowing only a small degree of movement and deflection, which can be ensured, for example, by the design of the funnel-shaped centering surfaces 56 molded into the alignment elements 32, as illustrated in Figures 2D and 2F.

[0119] To enable the alignment elements 32 to function as described above, they can also be moved laterally relative to each other, which can be accomplished by means of the larger actuator 68, with the alignment elements 32 being synchronized in opposite directions by the connecting rods 72 and 74 of the linkage 70. The alignment elements 32, fully aligned relative to each other, are illustrated in the schematic side view of Fig. 2B as well as in Figures 20 (perspective view from an oblique angle above) and 2D (perspective view from an oblique angle below).

[0120] After placing the packaging blank 26 onto the tops 30 of the containers 14 of a container grouping 22 and after it has been locked into place, a packaging unit 12 is formed in the intended manner, so that the application tool can be lifted off the packaging unit 12, preferably after prior separation of the alignment elements 32 and / or after prior deactivation of a vacuum holding the packaging blank 26 in the application tool 28.

[0121] With reference to Fig. 3 and with additional reference to Fig. 1 already described above, in addition to the variant of the inventive method 10 for forming the packaging units 12 by applying the packaging blanks 26 to the provided container groups 22, a variant of an inventive system 90 for forming packaging units 12 is described below.

[0122] System 90 includes, in particular, the grouping station 20 described above, which serves to form container groups 22 from containers 14 conveyed therein, each container group 22 formed in grouping station 20 being composed of a defined number of containers 14. In an application station 92 located downstream of grouping station 20 in the conveying direction 24, the container groups 22 conveyed from grouping station 20 are each fitted with packaging blanks 26, which can be done using the application tools 28 described above. That is, application station 92 is equipped with at least one such application tool 28, but can optionally also be equipped with several application tools 28 for the parallel processing of several container groups 22 simultaneously and thus for achieving a higher system throughput.

[0123] In the application station 92, not only is it ensured that the container groups 22 are each equipped with packaging blanks 26 in order to form the container groups 22 into packaging units 12 or containers, but at the same time, it is ensured that flexible and / or not exactly positioned containers 14 of the respective container group 22 are held in suitable positions and / or orientations for the application of the packaging blanks 26 by means of the alignment elements 32 described above and cannot move or deform in a way that prevents the proper application of the packaging blanks 26.These dangers can arise particularly with weakly or ungassed containers made of thin-walled plastic material, as the stabilizing internal pressure of the container is often lacking, so that the shape retention of the containers is not guaranteed under all processing conditions.

[0124] Furthermore, the system 90 according to the invention can comprise a layer formation station 94, located downstream of the application station 92 in the conveying direction 24, for forming subsequently palletizable layer arrangements 96, each with several appropriately arranged packaging units 12. Finally, a palletizing station 98 can follow the layer formation station 94, which can again be located downstream of the layer formation station 94 in the conveying direction 24. There, the layer arrangements 96 formed in the layer formation station 94, with the packaging units 12 pushed together and / or rotated appropriately, can be stacked and palletized, and, if necessary, subjected to further packaging measures.

[0125] The system 90 described here, or parts thereof, can in particular serve to carry out the method 10 described with reference to Fig. 1 for the formation of the packaging units 12.

[0126] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable to a person skilled in the art that modifications or changes to the invention can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

[0127] List of reference signs

[0128] 10 methods, methods for forming packaging units

[0129] 12 packaging units, containers

[0130] 14 containers

[0131] 16 container lids

[0132] 18 Horizontal conveying device

[0133] 20 grouping stations

[0134] 22 Container grouping

[0135] 24. Transport direction, conveying direction

[0136] 26 Packaging cut-out

[0137] 28 Application tool

[0138] 30 Top side (of the container, the group of containers)

[0139] 32 alignment element

[0140] 34 Neck ring

[0141] 36 retaining element

[0142] 38 Crease edge, center crease edge

[0143] 40 folding edge, further folding edge

[0144] 42. Folding edge, outer folding edge

[0145] 44 Main area (of the packaging cut)

[0146] 48 Slide guide, inner slide guide

[0147] 50 guide rod

[0148] 52 Support element, central support element

[0149] 54 Slide guide, outer slide guide

[0150] 56 Centering surface, funnel-shaped centering surface

[0151] 58 openings (in the packaging cut)

[0152] 60 alignment bodies, cuboid alignment bodies

[0153] 62 sheet metal cages, U-shaped sheet metal cages

[0154] 64 flat base

[0155] 66 angled leg

[0156] 68 actuator

[0157] 70 coupling links

[0158] 72 central connecting rod

[0159] 74 outer connecting rod

[0160] 76 rotating bearing

[0161] 78 Base anchoring drive rod actuator, further actuator system, system for forming packaging units application station layer formation station layer arrangement palletizing station

Claims

Claims 1. Application tool (28) for applying packaging blanks (26) to container groupings (22) previously formed from at least two grouped containers (14) for the purpose of forming packaging units (12), - which application tool (28) includes means for picking up individual packaging blanks (26), for handling them and for connecting the packaging blanks (26) with the respective containers (14) of the container grouping (22), and - which application tool (28) has alignment elements (32) with which those areas of the respective container grouping (22) that are to be connected with the respective packaging blank (26) are positioned.

2. Application tool (28) according to claim 2, which is equipped with alignment elements (32) with which those areas of the respective container grouping (22) that are to be connected with the respective packaging blank (26) are held in defined position areas and / or can be fixed in defined positions.

3. Application tool (28) according to claim 1 or 2, which is equipped with alignment elements (32) with which those areas of the tops (30) of the containers (14) of the respective container grouping (22), which are to be connected with the respective packaging blank (26), are held in defined position areas and / or can be fixed in defined positions.

4. Application tool (28) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the alignment elements (32) of the application tool (28) are each equipped with centering surfaces (56) with which those areas of the tops (30) of the containers (14) of the respective container grouping (22), which are to be connected with the respective packaging blank (26), are held in defined position areas and / or can be fixed in defined positions.

5. Application tool (28) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the alignment elements (32) are movably mounted on slide guides in a direction transverse to an application direction of the respective packaging blank (26) against the so that the container grouping (22) to be equipped can be delivered or distanced from it.

6. Application tool (28) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the centering surfaces (56) of the alignment elements (32) at least partially encompass the upper area of ​​the containers (14) during the application of the packaging blank (26) and / or prevent it from shifting.

7. Application tool (28) according to claim 6, wherein the centering surfaces (56) are each formed by half-open funnel-shaped centering surfaces (56).

8. Method (10) for forming packaging units (12) by applying packaging blanks (26) to container groupings (22) previously formed from at least two grouped containers (14), - wherein the packaging blanks (26) are picked up by an application tool (28), handled and connected to the respective containers (14) of the container grouping (22) by means of the application tool (28), by connecting the containers (14) at least partially through openings (58) in the pass through the packaging blank (26), and - Positioning alignment elements (32) of the application tool (28) near the containers (14) of the respective container grouping (22) which is connected to the respective packaging blank (26).

9. Method (10) according to claim 8, in which areas of the respective container grouping (22) to be connected with the respective packaging blank (26) are held within defined position ranges for the application of the packaging blank (26) by means of the alignment elements (32) of the application tool (28).

10. Method (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein areas of the respective container grouping (22) to be connected with the respective packaging blank (26) are fixed in defined positions for the application of the packaging blank (26) by means of the alignment elements (32) of the application tool (28).

11. Method (10) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein areas of the tops (30) of the containers (14) of the respective container grouping (22) to be connected with the respective packaging blank (26) are used for applying the packaging blank (26) using the alignment elements (32) of the Application tool (28) is held in defined position ranges and / or fixed in defined positions.

12. Method (10) according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the alignment elements (32) of the application tool (28) are each equipped with centering surfaces (56) in which those areas of the tops (30) of the containers (14) of the respective container grouping (22), which are to be connected with the respective packaging blank (26), are held in defined position areas and / or fixed in defined positions.

13. Method (10) according to one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the retaining elements (32) with the centering surfaces (56) can be positioned in a direction to the containers (14) which is oriented approximately perpendicular to an application direction of the packaging blank (26).

14. System (90) for forming packaging units (12), comprising at least: - a grouping station (20) for forming container groupings (22), each formed by a defined number of containers (14), - an application station (92) downstream of the grouping station (20) in a conveying direction (24) for equipping the container groupings (22) with at least one packaging blank (26) each, which application station (92) is equipped with at least one application tool (28) according to one of claims 7 to 13 for producing packaging units (12) from the container groupings (22), and further comprising - a layer formation station (94) downstream of the application station (92) in the conveying direction (24) for the formation of subsequently palletizable layer arrangements (96) of several packaging units (12).

15. System (90) according to claim 14, wherein a palletizing station (98) for stacking and palletizing the layer arrangements (96) formed in the layer formation station (94) with the packaging units (12) is arranged downstream of the layer formation station (94) in the conveying direction (24).

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