EP0168447B1 - Multiple package - Google Patents

Abstract

Multiple package for a certain number of cylindrical containers (101) standing next to each other at least in two longitudinal rows, of identical shape and size. The envelope of the multiple package is comprised of a rectangular cardboard part (110) having the shape of a band provided with transversal folding lines. The band-shaped part defines a bottom surface (111) and two side or end wall surfaces (112, 113) arranged facing each other, back-foldable upwardly and attached to the bottom surface, of which the height is equal to or smaller than the height of the containers. A surrounding band (125), traversing the side or end wall surfaces back-folded upwardly as well as the two uncovered sides of the multiple package approximately half-way up of the containers, is the sole means both to keep the containers together and to carry the multiple package with one hand or both hands.

Description

The invention relates to a multipack for a number of cylindrical containers of the same shape and size arranged side by side in at least two parallel longitudinal rows with an essentially rectangular cardboard blank in the form of a strip provided with transverse fold lines, which has a bottom surface on which the containers stand and two opposite one another arranged, foldable, formed by transverse fold lines with the bottom surface connected side or end panels, the height of the folded side or end panels being equal to or less than the height of the container.

It is already a multipack for a number of cylindrical containers of the same shape and size arranged side by side in at least two parallel longitudinal rows with a substantially rectangular cardboard blank in the form of a strip provided with transverse fold lines, which has a bottom surface on which the containers stand and two opposite one another arranged, foldable side or end wall surfaces connected by transverse fold lines to the floor surface have been proposed (FR-A-2 291 113).

The production of such a folding box requires a relatively high amount of cardboard material and operations. The cardboard material would also have to be provided with openings if handles for carrying the multipack should be provided with one hand or with two hands. Securing the containers in the uncut areas is not provided.

A multipack for a number of parallelepiped-shaped containers of the same size and standing in a row in at least two parallel longitudinal rows has also become known, which has a corresponding cardboard blank and in which the height of the folded-up side or end wall surfaces is equal to or less than the height of the containers, a strapping band crossing the folded-up side or end wall surfaces and the two uncovered sides of the collective package at about half the height. However, this pack cannot be used for cylindrical containers, since cylindrical containers slip against one another under tension and the given shape of the multipack changes, and the containers can no longer be held securely during handling (FR-A-2 149 899).

It has also already been proposed for packaging units for multiple packs to form partitions between the multiple packs, which are formed by sections folded out of the base plate (US Pat. No. 3,212,636). However, it is only possible to anchor the entire multipack, but not to secure the containers arranged in the multipack.

In contrast, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a multipack of the type mentioned (FR-A-2 291 113) which is as simple as possible and at the same time convenient and safe to use.

This object is achieved by the features characterized in claim 1.

A multipack designed in this way is suitable as a handy, stackable bundle of a large number of containers of the same shape and size during transport and storage, and also as a sales, visual and storage pack. It enables such containers to be combined quickly and economically by packaging machines. These can be cans and containers of cylindrical shape in the broadest sense with a circular, elliptical or polygonal cross section, or else bottles that are cylindrical at least at a part of the height of their outer casing. A preferred field of application of the invention is that of the distribution of beverages in liquid containers. Containers of other filling goods such. B. canned food, cleaning agents or motor oils can be summarized in multipack according to the invention.

Through the use of means for preventing the rows of containers from slipping relative to one another and the use of the strapping band, it is possible for the first time to create a multipack for cylindrical containers in which the containers are clamped against one another and their position is maintained even under stress. This ensures a high level of security against slipping of the containers both when arranged in a stack of pallets and when carrying the multipack by carrying.

Such a multipack also has the advantages that it can be opened relatively easily without the use of tools and without destroying the cardboard or corrugated cardboard material, and that the packaging material can be folded up to save space after removal of the containers and, if desired, can also be reused.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the rectangular strip of the cardboard blank can have, in addition to the side surfaces arranged opposite one another, further surface parts connected to it by fold lines and can be used to form a cardboard wrapping encircling the container on both sides. As a result, embodiments of a cuboid multipack can be created which are closed on four annularly connected sides and are open on two opposite sides.

The length of the part of the cardboard blank which forms the base surface or container base is preferably less than the sum of the Diameter of the containers arranged in a longitudinal row. This ensures that the strapping lies tightly against the multipack, and it also saves on cardboard material.

In order to prevent the strapping from slipping unintentionally, the opposite end edges of the side or end wall surfaces of the blank can be provided with notches or incisions which serve to support the strapping.

• Fig. 1 den Grundriß einer Sammelpackung gemäß der Erfindung beim abgewickelten Zustand des Karton- oder Wellpappenzuschnitts ;
• Fig. 2 die Draufsicht auf die Sammelpackung im fertigen Zustande, h. bei eingefaltetem Zuschnitt ;
• Fig. 3 die Seitenansicht der Sammelpackung gemäß Fig. 2 von rechts gesehen und
• Fig. 4 die Seitenansicht derselben Sammelpackung bei teilweise zurückgefaltetem Zuschnitt als Tablett oder Display ;
• Fig. 5 und 6 veranschaulichen eine weitere Ausführungsform in entsprechenden Darstellungen wie Fig. 1 und 2, nämlich im Grundriß der Sammelpackung bei abgewickeltem Zuschnitt sowie den Grundriß der fertigen Sammelpackung ;
• Fig. 7 und 8 zeigen wiederum eine andere Ausführungsform und zwar die Seitenansicht der fertigen Sammelpackung sowie bei Faltung als Tablett oder Display ;
• Fig. 9 und 10 zeigen nochmals eine andere Ausführungsform und zwar im Grundriß des abgewickelten Zustands des Zuschnitts mit darauf stehenden Behältern und Grundriß der fertigen Sammelpackung ;
• Fig. 11 zeigt den Grundriß des Zuschnitts der Kartonumhüllung einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Sammelpäckung gemäß der Erfindung für sechs Behälter ;
• Fig. 12 eine perspektivische Darstellung derselben Sammelpackung mit freiem Blick auf die Unterseite der Bodenfläche des Zuschnitts und
• Fig. 13 eine perspektivische Darstellung mit Blick auf die oberseite derselben Sammelpackung ;
• Fig. 14 zeigt die Draufsicht auf den Kartonzuschnitt nochmals einer anderen Ausführungsform einer Sammelpackung gemäß der Erfindung für acht in zwei Längsreihen nebeneinander stehend angeordnete zylindrische Behälter ;
• Fig. 15 zeigt nochmals eine andere Ausführungsform der Sammelpackung gemäß der Erfindung mit besonders schmaier Bodenwandfläche in perspektivischer Draufsicht und
• Fig. 16 eine Grundrißansicht derselben Sammelpackung.

Further possibilities for the advantageous embodiment of the invention are explained below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. They show schematically:

• Figure 1 shows the plan of a multipack according to the invention in the unwound state of the cardboard or corrugated cardboard blank.
• Fig. 2 is a plan view of the multipack in the finished state, h. when the blank is folded;
• Fig. 3 seen the side view of the multipack according to FIG. 2 from the right and
• 4 shows the side view of the same multipack with the blank partially folded back as a tray or display;
• 5 and 6 illustrate a further embodiment in corresponding representations as in FIGS. 1 and 2, namely in the plan of the multipack with the blank unwound and the plan of the finished multipack;
• 7 and 8 show yet another embodiment, namely the side view of the finished multipack as well as when folded as a tray or display;
• 9 and 10 show yet another embodiment, namely in the plan of the developed state of the blank with containers standing thereon and the plan of the finished multipack;
• Figure 11 shows the outline of the blank of the carton wrapper of another embodiment of the collective package according to the invention for six containers;
• Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the same multipack with a clear view of the underside of the bottom surface of the blank and
• Figure 13 is a perspective view looking at the top of the same multipack;
• 14 shows the top view of the cardboard blank of yet another embodiment of a multipack according to the invention for eight cylindrical containers arranged side by side in two longitudinal rows;
• FIG. 15 shows yet another embodiment of the multipack according to the invention with a particularly slim bottom wall surface in a perspective top view and
• Fig. 16 is a plan view of the same multipack.

As shown schematically in FIGS. 1 to 4, the multipack formed by the blank 1 encloses a group of containers 2, which are arranged next to one another in two rows in the transverse direction of the strip-shaped blank and have the same dimensions in the form of cylindrical cans. The blank 1 consists of an elongated, rectangular cardboard or corrugated cardboard strip provided with transverse fold lines 4 to 9. The central surface part 10 of the strip forms a rigid base which supports the containers 2 as a standing surface. This is limited on the long sides of the rows of containers by transverse fold lines 4, 5. This is followed by fold-up surface parts 11, 12, the lengths of which correspond to the height of the container 2. When folded up, they each form an end wall of the multipack. The adjoining surface parts 13, 14 each form part of the top wall of the multipack, and the adjoining outermost surface parts 15 ', 15 ", 16', 16" of the blank 1, in the final state according to FIGS. 2 and Fig. 3 folded, a transverse wall 15, 16 which divides the space within the multipack in the manner of a «double ring insert and stiffens it. The (in this case subdivided in the manner of a double ring insert) ring shape of the multipack formed by the blank in the final state is held together by a strapping band 17 without having to be firmly connected to it by gluing or the like, so that it is possible to separate between the To grip volume 17 and the container on one or both sides of the multipack, i.e. to lift and carry it with one or two hands. The band 17, which holds the multipack together, can thus also be used as a handle, provided that the total weight of the multipack with its contents does not exceed that of a piece of hand luggage. The band 17 crossing the two open sides of the ring 1 or eyeglass-folded blank 1 at the same time secures the containers touched by it against slipping out of the package or falling out. The band 17 can consist of transparent or at least translucent plastic, so that it hardly obstructs the view from the side of the jacket walls of the container or their inscription. The blank 1 of the multipack advantageously consists of one- or two-ply corrugated cardboard, which ensures a fully sufficient strength.

Such a multipack has the following advantages in particular: Its manufacture from a blank in the form of an elongated strip is particularly simple, requires only a small amount of material and leaves no waste. The waste remaining after the consumption of such a pack can be conveniently and quickly removed. The visibility of the contents of the multipack may make it unnecessary to label it. Gluing and punching processes are not necessary. The multipack is easy to pick up, carry and put down on a pallet or the like with one or two hands. Characterized in that the top wall halves 13, 14 and the partition wall halves 15, 16 around the fold lines 6, 7 on the side walls 11 and 12 and each half of the bottom wall 10 is folded back, a rigid double-layer tray (display) with U-shaped upstanding end walls can be produced, on which the individual containers 2 are freely accessible and from which they Individuals can be conveniently removed and, if desired, reused.

It is also possible to advantageously use the multipack for containers with a polygonal or oval cross section instead of for containers with a circular cross section. The containers can be arranged in parallel rows both along the extent of the strip-shaped blank and transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped cross section. The containers can basically be arranged side by side in parallel longitudinal and transverse rows. It may be advisable to arrange more containers in a transverse row instead of in a longitudinal row, based on the longitudinal direction of the blank.

Use of the multipack for containers deviating from the circular shape of the floor plan enables a particularly good use of space. Instead of cans or wide-mouth bottles (with lid closure), other bottles or canisters can also be combined in a multipack according to the invention.

The embodiment of the invention which is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 1 to 4 is particularly suitable for a multipack of six cans of the usual type made of sheet metal, each with 850 ml content, or for example also for six paint cans made of plastic, each with 750 ml content. The cross fold lines are grooved in this case, i. H. produced with a tool that penetrates the material of the blank in a rolling manner. The width of the blank 7 here, measured in the direction of the transverse fold lines 4 to 9, is smaller than the sum of the diameters of the containers 2 arranged in a row parallel to the transverse fold lines 4 to 9. This ensures that the containers 2 at the ends each a row of containers protrude slightly beyond the blank to the outside, so that the strapping band 17 indicated in FIG. 2 holds the containers particularly securely. In addition, the smaller width of the strip-shaped blank 1 saves on blank material, which means a not inconsiderable economic advantage in the mass production of multi-packs.

The surface parts 13, 14 of the blank which form the top wall parts have a length corresponding to the container diameter. The adjoining outermost surface parts 15, 16 of the blank, as shown in FIG. 3, can be inserted between two rows of containers, so that they each form an intermediate layer into which the circumference or an edge frame of adjacent container 2 under the influence of the Strapping band 17 can push transmitted forces. This also ensures a particularly firm hold of the containers within the multipack.

The two outermost surface parts 15, 16 of the rectangular blank 1 are subdivided here by an additional transverse fold line 8 'or 9' (indicated by dashed lines). The position of this additional transverse fold line is chosen so that the one subdivision section 15 'or 16' and the adjacent surface part 13 or 14 forming a top wall part, measured in the longitudinal direction of the blank, together one of the length of the surface parts 11 or 11 forming the end walls 12 result in corresponding length. This makes it possible, as Fig. 4 illustrates, both together, i. H. to fold the subdivision section 15 'or 16' and the adjacent surface part 13 or 14, forming a top wall part, onto the adjacent end wall 11 or 12, doubling in thickness, and the other outermost subdivision section 15 "or 16" below to place the stand area 10 of the multipack in order to form a display or tray from the multipack which is accessible from above.

3, the outermost surface parts 15, 16 of the blank can be inserted between two rows of containers, so that they together form an intermediate layer.

5 and 6 illustrate a further embodiment which is particularly suitable for eight plastic engine oil cans, each with a capacity of one liter. A special feature of this embodiment is that the opposite edges of the surface parts 11, 12 of the blank forming the end walls are provided with indentations 21 for mounting the strapping band 17. In this way, an unintentional shifting of the strapping band is avoided and a firm contact with the containers is ensured, even if these should not protrude beyond the width of the blanking strip on both sides.

Otherwise, this embodiment, like the previous ones according to FIGS. 1 to 4, results in a high rigidity and strength (statics) of the multipack, even if the outermost surface parts 15, 16 inserted between two rows of containers are already at a distance from it end the middle surface part 10 of the strip-shaped blank formed bottom of the pack, such as. B. shown in Figs. 3 and 7. The indentations 21 on the edges of the blank can, like the transverse fold lines, be produced by means of punching tools.

A special feature of Fig. 7 and 10 is that here the outermost surface parts of the blank can be inserted between two different rows of containers, so that they each individually form an intermediate layer or partition, in each of which adjacent containers with their circumference or a frame under Influence the forces resulting from the strapping, so that the multipack receives high strength. In this embodiment, too, as shown in FIG. 8, the outermost surface parts can be reversed under the bottom can be folded in so that a stiff double-layered tray (display) with U-shaped upstanding end walls can be produced.

9 and 10 show a further embodiment of a multipack according to the invention for twelve beverage cans arranged in three rows, but with a punched cardboard or corrugated cardboard blank and indentations on the edges of the blank as already described above with reference to the embodiment also having a stamped blank 5 and 6 have been described.

A special feature of such an embodiment is that the middle of the three rows of containers remains accessible from above, even when the package is closed, and individual cans can be removed or reinserted from it even when the multipack is closed. Irrespective of this, there is also the possibility of converting the multipack into a display or tray in which all cans are accessible from above.

A multipack according to the invention can also be encased with a thin-walled shrink or stretch film (not shown) serving as protection against moisture and dust, which can be particularly advantageous for transportation. It may be advisable to attach the strapping outside of the shrink or stretch film.

11 to 13 a further very particularly advantageous embodiment is shown, which on the one hand requires an extremely small cardboard material area, but nevertheless has a particularly high inherent stiffness and also ensures a high level of security against slipping of the containers during loading and during transport of the multipack. 110 is the carton blank used to form the carton wrapper. 111 is the bottom surface of the blank, on which the cylindrical containers 101 are arranged standing side by side in two longitudinal rows. 11 and 14, the containers are indicated with dashed lines. 112, 113 are the side wall surfaces, the height of which only takes up part of the height of the containers or, at most, as in FIG. 12, is the same. The length of the side wall surface and the length of the bottom surface are smaller or at most the same length as the sum of the diameters of the containers arranged in a longitudinal row in the multipack. The lateral end edges of the side wall surfaces are provided with incisions and / or recesses 114 which serve to lock the strapping band 115. Provided in the bottom wall 111 is an elongated flap 116 formed therefrom with a fold running in the transverse direction to the longitudinal rows of containers. This flap 116, folded up by 90 °, forms a transverse web serving to prevent slipping in the longitudinal direction of the containers arranged in different longitudinal rows, said crossbar resting on the lateral surfaces of adjacent containers and also stiffening the bottom surface. The width of the flap 116 is at least so large that four containers, namely two on each side, are touched by the transverse web formed by it; however, it is smaller than the width of the bottom surface 111. The strapping band 115, which holds the pack together, is locked by the recesses 114 in the lateral end edges of the side wall surfaces 112, 113 in such a way that it cannot move along the cylindrical containers. The fact that the length of the side wall surfaces 112, 113 and the length of the base surface 111 is somewhat smaller than the sum of the diameters of the containers arranged in a longitudinal direction in each case means that the strapping adapts to the curves of the outermost containers. It also saves cardboard material. Instead of a recess 114, incisions can also be provided in a lateral end edge of the side wall surface, which have a spacing of approximately the width of the strapping band 115. At most, as shown in FIG. 12, the height of the side wall surfaces 112, 113 may be equal to the height of the containers 101. However, it is sufficient if the height of the side wall surfaces, as shown in FIG. 13, only occupies part of the height of the containers.

The embodiment according to FIG. 14 differs from the embodiment according to FIGS. 11 to 13 described previously as an exemplary embodiment mainly in that the blank 120 is dimensioned for eight containers 101 instead of for six containers as in FIGS. 11 to 13. In addition, two elongated flaps 126, 127 with a fold running in the transverse direction are provided here in the bottom wall 121. Folded up by 90 ° each form a cross bar to prevent the containers from slipping and to stiffen the floor surface. In the embodiment according to FIG. 14, the side wall surfaces are designated by 122, 123, the recesses in their end edges by 124 and the retaining band by 125. Because of the greater length of the two longitudinal rows of containers, two transverse webs formed by flaps in the bottom wall are provided in the embodiment according to FIG. 14, so that a symmetrical arrangement seen in the transverse direction is formed, thereby creating a better stiffening and securing against slipping. Normally, however, a transverse web, which can be arranged asymmetrically, as provided for FIGS. 11 to 13, is sufficient. A particularly advantageous and in particular space-saving and also cardboard material-saving embodiment is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Here the cylindrical containers 201 standing on the bottom surface 211 are arranged in three parallel longitudinal rows, in such a way that the axes of one container of the two outer rows lie in pairs in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rows; the containers in the middle row are half a container through in the longitudinal direction of the containers from the containers in the outer rows knife offset; the two outer rows of containers have moved so close to the middle row of containers that each container in the middle row touches two containers in each of the outer rows. It is readily apparent that in this way the bottom surface of the. Package on which the containers stand, can be made somewhat narrower than in the previously described embodiments. Under certain circumstances, this can be a great advantage for creating stackable multi-packs, because in this way the narrow side of the rectangular outline of the multi-pack can be reduced even more.

Claims (9)

1. Multiple package for a plurality of cylindrical containers (12 ; 101 ; 201) disposed standing in at least two parallel longitudinal rows having an identical shape and size with an essentially rectangular cardboard blank (1 ; 110) in the form of a strip and provided with transverse folding lines which forms a bottom surface (10; 111 ; 211), upon which the containers (2 ; 101 ; 201) stand, and two oppositely arranged side wall or end wall surfaces (11, 12; 113; 122, 123) which can be folded upwardly and connected by means of transverse folding lines to the bottom surface (10 ; 11 ; 211), wherein the height of the upwardly- folded side or end wall surfaces (11, 12; 112, 113; 122, 123) is equal to the height of the containers or smaller than the same, characterized in that a hoop-casing band (17; 115, 125) arranged at approximately half the height of the containers (2), crosses the side or end wall surfaces (11, 12 ; 112, 113 ; 122, 123) as well as the two uncovered sides of the multiple packing and which serves as the sole means for holding the multiple package together as well as for carrying the same by means of grip apertures remaining open within the area of the two uncovered sides of the multiple package between the hoopcasing band (17 ; 115 ; 125) and the cylindrical containers (2; 101 ; 201), and in that means for preventing a slipping out of position of the container rows relative to one another are provided along the bottom surface.

2. Multiple package according to Claim 1, in which surface portions of the multiple package constructed as cardboard rings forming covering wall surfaces (13,14) located opposite the bottom surface (10) have a length which corresponds to the container diameter or to a multiple thereof and which are followed by outer surface portions (13, 14), wherein the outermost surface portions (15, 16) can be inserted between two container rows as means for preventing the slipping out of position, so that they each form, singly or jointly, an intermediate layer or a partition, into which the circumference or a marginal edge of containers (2) adjacent thereto is able to press itself due to the action of the forces transmitted by the hoop- casing band (17).

3. Multiple package according to Claim 1, characterized in that, in the bottom wall (101), as means for preventing a slipping out of position, at least one elongated flap (116 ; 126, 127) formed from the latter is provided with a fold extending in the transverse direction which, when folded upwardly by 90°, forms a transverse web which serves to prevent a slipping out of position in the longitudinal direction of the containers disposed in several longitudinal rows and for strengthening the bottom surface.

4. Multiple package according to Claim 1, characterized in that, as means for preventing a slipping out of position of the cylindrical containers (201) standing on the bottom surface (211) are disposed in three parallel longitudinal rows, in that the axes of, in each case, one container (201) of the two outer rows are located, in pairs, in a horizontal plane lying in the longitudinal direction of the container rows, in that the containers (201) of the center row, in the longitudinal direction of the row relative to the containers (201) of the outer rows, are disposed in a staggered manner by half a container diameter, and in that the two outer container rows are moved so close to the center container row that each container (201) of the center row is in contact with two containers (201) in each of the outer rows.

5. Multiple package according to Claim 2, characterized in that the two outermost surface portions (15, 16) of the rectangular cardboard blank are subdivided by an additional transverse folding line (8') each, the position of which is selected in such a way that the one subdivision section (15', 16') and the surface portion (13, 14) adjacent thereto and forming a covering wall portion, when measured in the longitudinal direction of the blank (1), jointly come to a length which corresponds to the length of the surface portions forming the end walls (11, 12), so that both can be jointly folded over down or to the adjoining end wall (11, 12), thus doubling the thickness of the latter, and in that the other outermost subdivision section (15", 16") can be folded inwardly underneath the base of the multiple package so as to form a display panel or a tray from the multiple package.

6. Multiple package according to the Claims 1-5, characterized in that the length of the bottom surface (10, 111 ; 211) is smaller than the total of the diameters of the containers (2, 101 ; 201) disposed in a longitudinal row.

7. Multiple package according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the opposing terminal edges of the side or end wall surfaces (11, 12 ; 112, 113) are provided with notches or indentations (21 ; 114; 124) serving to secure the hoop-casing band. (17 ; 115 ; 125) in position.

8. Multiple package according to any of the Claims 1-7, characterized in that it is wrapped with a thin shrink or stretch film as a protection against humidity and dust.

9. Multiple package according to Claim 8, characterized in that the hoop-casing band (17 : 115 ; 125) is attached outside the shroud of shrink or stretch film.

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