The invention includes a method and apparatus to transfer and place articles (12) into outer packages (16), which are open at the top and which each receive at least one article group (18) composed of a plurality of articles (12). In the method, at least one article group (18) is seized by at least one handling device (46) and is placed from above into one of the outer packages (16). An article group (18), which has been seized by the handling device (46), already is compacted or will be compacted during placement of the article group into the outer package (16) by reducing the spacings between at least some of the individual articles (12) of the article group (18). The article group may also be subsequently spread out.

An apparatus for producing a multipack includes forming groups on opposite sides of a transport section. The first forming group comprises a sliding carriage that moves along and transverse to a transport direction, a format part that forms a contact surface for engaging a container, and a guiding-and-holding element that detachably secures the format part to the sliding carriage. The first and second forming groups are movable along the transport direction and transverse to the transport direction such that contact surfaces of the first and second forming groups that are opposite each other are brought into contact with containers to move the containers along the transport direction and to press the containers against each other by moving transverse to the transport direction.

An apparatus for producing a multipack includes forming groups on opposite sides of a transport section. The first forming group comprises a sliding carriage that moves along and transverse to a transport direction, a format part that forms a contact surface for engaging a container, and a guiding-and-holding element that detachably secures the format part to the sliding carriage. The first and second forming groups are movable along the transport direction and transverse to the transport direction such that contact surfaces of the first and second forming groups that are opposite each other are brought into contact with containers to move the containers along the transport direction and to press the containers against each other by moving transverse to the transport direction.

Article picking and treating apparatus The present invention provides an apparatus for picking and treating articles simultaneously, said picking and treating each being operated at a first and a second conveying line.

Article picking and treating apparatus The present invention provides an apparatus for picking and treating articles simultaneously, said picking and treating each being operated at a first and a second conveying line.

An apparatus for bundling containers includes a linear conveyor, a guide element, conveying elements, and application elements, each of which applies adhesive to a portion of a container surface, The conveying elements are driven and controllable to travel along the conveyor and to circulate along the guide element. Each conveying element has a container guide that rotates relative to the conveying element. The guide element has a feed strand with central, transition, and end sections that merge into each other. The central section is further from the central axis than the end section. The distance from end section to central axis is such that containers circulating on the end section are brought into contact with adhesive on a surface of an adjacent container.

An apparatus for bundling containers includes a linear conveyor, a guide element, conveying elements, and application elements, each of which applies adhesive to a portion of a container surface, The conveying elements are driven and controllable to travel along the conveyor and to circulate along the guide element. Each conveying element has a container guide that rotates relative to the conveying element. The guide element has a feed strand with central, transition, and end sections that merge into each other. The central section is further from the central axis than the end section. The distance from end section to central axis is such that containers circulating on the end section are brought into contact with adhesive on a surface of an adjacent container.

A conveyor system for grouping containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers of various dimensions a first star wheel and a second star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path, wherein the first containers each have a first geometric center, and wherein the first travel path is defined by the geometric center of the first containers, and a third star wheel and a fourth star wheel configured to move a plurality of second containers along a second travel path, wherein the second containers each have a second geometric center, and wherein the second travel path is defined by the geometric center of the second containers, wherein the first travel path and the second travel path are substantially similar.

A package comprising a carton and an arrangement of containers. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels can comprise at least a first panel and a second panel disposed opposite to one another. The arrangement can comprise a number of rows of containers disposed at least partially in the interior of the carton. The arrangement can include at least a first row and a second row extending along the respective first and second panels. A load width of the arrangement can be less than the number of rows multiplied by a first difference between the diameter of the containers approximately an eighth of an inch, and the load width can be greater than the number of rows multiplied by a second difference between the diameter and approximately a half of an inch.

A container system for separately storing and mixing two or more substances. The container system is comprised of a main container for holding at least one first substance and a cup for holding at least one second substance, the cup being removably mounted on the neck of the main container such that at least a portion of the cup is suspended within the main container. The cup has an upper portion, a lower portion and one or more arms for connecting the upper and lower portions. Apertures are formed between the upper and lower portions of the cup such that the contents of the cup may mix with the contents of the main container following removal of an inner cap attached to the cup, and agitation of the main container. The cup and neck are sized to provide a void therebetween, thereby also permitting the substances to mix.