The present invention is directed to a process for manufacturing a pack of products (1) having a bottom side (2) and an opposite top side (3), comprising a handle (5) formed over the top side (3) and adapted to be grasped by hand, wherein the process comprises the following steps:—providing the products (1) to be packaged;—fitting a binding structure around the products (1) to bind them;—forming a handle (5) by wrapping a plastic film (4) around the bound products (1) over at least one turn, the plastic film (4) covering at least most of the bottom side (2) and being gathered to a reduced width over the top side (3) to form the handle (5). The present invention is also directed to a device for manufacturing a pack of products (1).

A cluster pack comprises at least two containers connected by a glued joint. One of the containers has a thickened wall region in the region of the glued joint. This region acts as a well reinforcement to reduce the risk of tearing a container during detachment from the cluster pack.

A cluster pack comprises at least two containers connected by a glued joint. One of the containers has a thickened wall region in the region of the glued joint. This region acts as a well reinforcement to reduce the risk of tearing a container during detachment from the cluster pack.

A packaging method is described in which at least one primary packaging (2) is inserted through a closable opening into a secondary packaging (3) after a handling device (20) has been positioned at the closable opening of the secondary packaging (3). The primary packaging (2) is guided by the handling device (20) during its insertion into the opening of the secondary packaging (3), and a target position of the primary packaging (2) is predetermined within the secondary packaging (3). After insertion of the at least one primary packaging (2) into the secondary packaging (3), the opening of the secondary packaging (3) is at least partially closed under the cooperation or action of the handling device (20). Furthermore, a packaging module is described which is designed to perform such a packaging process.

A packaging method is described in which at least one primary packaging (2) is inserted through a closable opening into a secondary packaging (3) after a handling device (20) has been positioned at the closable opening of the secondary packaging (3). The primary packaging (2) is guided by the handling device (20) during its insertion into the opening of the secondary packaging (3), and a target position of the primary packaging (2) is predetermined within the secondary packaging (3). After insertion of the at least one primary packaging (2) into the secondary packaging (3), the opening of the secondary packaging (3) is at least partially closed under the cooperation or action of the handling device (20). Furthermore, a packaging module is described which is designed to perform such a packaging process.

A system for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group (ACG) via application of an adapted retainer blank to the ACG is generally provided. The system is advantageously characterized by a container conveyance apparatus for conveying arrayed container groups, a supply of retainer blanks from which retainer blanks are dispensable, and a processing station characterized by a segment of the container conveyance apparatus, a die block, for receipt of a dispensed retainer blank from the supply of retainer blanks, and a robotic arm equipped with an end of arm tool (EOAT). The robotic arm is operable so as to selectively position the EOAT within the processing station, the EOAT positionable for urged engagement of a dispensed retainer blank received upon the die block so as to form and secure an adapted retainer blank, the robotic arm thereafter positionable to register the secured adapted retainer blank with a conveyed ACG conveyed on the segment of the container conveyance apparatus of the processing station, the robotic arm further positionable to apply the secured adapted retainer blank to the registered conveyed ACG to thereby form at least two retained container group packs from the registered conveyed ACG.

A system for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group (ACG) via application of an adapted retainer blank to the ACG is generally provided. The system is advantageously characterized by a container conveyance apparatus for conveying arrayed container groups, a supply of retainer blanks from which retainer blanks are dispensable, and a processing station characterized by a segment of the container conveyance apparatus, a die block, for receipt of a dispensed retainer blank from the supply of retainer blanks, and a robotic arm equipped with an end of arm tool (EOAT). The robotic arm is operable so as to selectively position the EOAT within the processing station, the EOAT positionable for urged engagement of a dispensed retainer blank received upon the die block so as to form and secure an adapted retainer blank, the robotic arm thereafter positionable to register the secured adapted retainer blank with a conveyed ACG conveyed on the segment of the container conveyance apparatus of the processing station, the robotic arm further positionable to apply the secured adapted retainer blank to the registered conveyed ACG to thereby form at least two retained container group packs from the registered conveyed ACG.

A packaging device (1) for producing packs each comprising several articles is disclosed. The packaging device (1) comprises at least one horizontal conveying device and at least one manipulator (25, 35). Article groups are moved via the at least one horizontal conveying device into a working area (AP1, AP2) of the at least one manipulator (25, 35). The at least one manipulator (25, 35) is designed to combine respective articles of a respective article group, which are moved into its working area (AP1, AP2) via the at least one horizontal conveying device, and for this purpose can apply at least one packaging material (40) to the respective article group.

Furthermore, the packaging device (1) comprises at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam provided for rear-side contact with a respective article group, which at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam provided for rear-side contact with a respective article group is guided along a preferably circulating movement path, which preferably circulating movement path runs through the working area (AP1, AP2) of the at least one manipulator (25, 35).

A packaging device (1) for producing packs each comprising several articles is disclosed. The packaging device (1) comprises at least one horizontal conveying device and at least one manipulator (25, 35). Article groups are moved via the at least one horizontal conveying device into a working area (AP1, AP2) of the at least one manipulator (25, 35). The at least one manipulator (25, 35) is designed to combine respective articles of a respective article group, which are moved into its working area (AP1, AP2) via the at least one horizontal conveying device, and for this purpose can apply at least one packaging material (40) to the respective article group.

Furthermore, the packaging device (1) comprises at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam provided for rear-side contact with a respective article group, which at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam provided for rear-side contact with a respective article group is guided along a preferably circulating movement path, which preferably circulating movement path runs through the working area (AP1, AP2) of the at least one manipulator (25, 35).

Aspects of the invention relate to an applicator plate (10) for use in an apparatus (80) for attaching a set of frangibly adjoined top engaging clips (110) to a group of articles ‘C’. The applicator plate (10) having a generally planar body; and a plurality of apertures (16a-26f) within the body. Each aperture (16a-26f) has a series of internal walls (16i-16x) arranged such that each aperture (16a-26f) has a polygonal shape.