Cluster pack and production method

Abstract

In a cluster pack, encompassing elements encompass containers. One encompassing element includes shrink film; the other, which has an integrated carrying element, defines a ring surrounding the containers.

Claims

1. A manufacture comprising a cluster pack, wherein said cluster pack comprises a carrying element, a first encompassing element, a predetermined number of containers, and a second encompassing element, wherein said first encompassing element comprises shrink film that is in contact with tops and bottoms of said containers, wherein said second encompassing element defines a ring that surrounds said containers, wherein said carrying element is integrated into said second encompassing element, and wherein said carrying element comprises grip openings, and a handle element, wherein said handle element comprises lines of weakening, and wherein said lines of weakening define tabs.

2. The manufacture of claim 1, wherein said carrying element comprises a handle having a triangular cross-section.

3. The manufacture of claim 1, wherein said containers have container codes printed thereon, and wherein said ring has a width that is selected to conceal said container codes so that said container codes cannot be read from outside said cluster pack.

4. The manufacture of claim 1, wherein said containers have container codes printed thereon, and wherein said ring is disposed to conceal said container codes so that said container codes cannot be read from outside said cluster pack.

5. The manufacture of claim 1, wherein said second encompassing element comprises an end face, and wherein said integrated carrying element is integrated on said end face.

6. The manufacture of claim 1, wherein said second encompassing element comprises a banner.

7. The manufacture of claim 1, wherein said second encompassing element is arranged around a belly region of said containers.

8. The manufacture of claim 1, wherein said carrying element is disposed on an end face of said cluster pack.

9. The manufacture of claim 1, wherein said lines of weakening comprise a groove.

10. The manufacture of claim 1, wherein said carrying element is disposed along a shrink gap.

11. The manufacture of claim 1, wherein said carrying element is disposed along an opening in said first encompassing element.

12. The manufacture of claim 1, wherein said second encompassing element is arranged inside said first encompassing element.

13. The manufacture of claim 1, further comprising glue, wherein said glue attaches said first encompassing element to surfaces of corner containers of said cluster pack.

14. The manufacture of claim 1, wherein said shrink film wraps at least some areas of said cluster pack, and wherein said shrink film is shrunken onto said cluster pack.

15. The manufacture of claim 14, wherein said second encompassing element comprises a banner, and wherein said shrink film is glued to said banner at an end face of said cluster pack.

16. The manufacture of claim 1, wherein said carrying element is disposed along a gap that forms as a result of ends of said shrink film not overlapping when the shrink film is shrunk on.

17. The manufacture of claim 8, wherein said end face is not a face that is adjacent to tops of said containers.

18. A method for producing a cluster pack having a predetermined number of containers, a shrink film that encompasses said containers, and a carrying element that is integral with a ring that surrounds said containers, wherein said carrying element comprises grip openings and a handle element that comprises lines of weakening define tabs, said method comprising bringing said containers together to form a container arrangement, said container arrangement being conformal to said cluster pack, surrounding said container arrangement with said ring, wrapping said container arrangement, at least in some areas, with said shrink film, wherein wrapping comprises contacting tops and bottoms of said containers with said shrink film, and feeding said wrapped container arrangement to a shrinking device for shrinking of said shrink film around said container arrangement, thereby forming said cluster pack.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said container arrangement comprises corner containers, wherein said method further comprises applying adhesive to portions of said corner containers, and causing adhesion between said corner containers and said shrink film.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising causing adhesion between film ends of said shrink film and said ring at an end face of said container arrangement.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said container arrangement comprises corner containers, wherein said method further comprises applying adhesive to portions of said corner containers, and causing adhesion between said corner containers and said ring.

22. A manufacture comprising a plurality of containers, said plurality of containers comprising a first container and a second container, each of said first and second containers comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and a surface extending between said top and bottom surfaces, said surface extending between said top and bottom surfaces and comprising first, second, and third portions, said second portions of said first and second containers being oriented to contact each other, a shrink wrap that encompasses said plurality of containers, said shrink-wrap being in contact with said top and bottom surfaces of said containers from said plurality of containers, a ring that surrounds said plurality of containers, said ring being in contact with said first surface of said first container and said first surface of said second container, a carrying element integral with said ring, wherein said third portion of said first container is in contact with neither said ring nor said second container, and wherein said third portion of said second container is in contact with neither said ring nor said first container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cluster pack,

(3) FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an end face of the cluster pack of FIG. 1, and

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a cluster pack.

(5) In the various figures, identical parts are always provided with the same references, and for this reason they are generally also described only once.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) FIG. 1 shows a cluster pack 1 having a pre-determined number of containers 2. A banner 3 arranged around belly regions 5 of the containers 2 encompasses the containers 2 of the cluster pack 1. A carrying element 4, or an integrated carrying section, is integrated into the banner 3.

(7) In some embodiments, the banner 3 has information printed on it. This information can be a code, such as a barcode or a QR code. The code can be located on an end face.

(8) The cluster pack 1 also has a shrink film 7 that is placed around the containers 2 and the banner 3. The cluster pack thus has an inner encompassing element, namely the banner 3, and an outer encompassing element, namely the shrink film 7.

(9) As shown in FIG. 2, the carrying element 4 is integrated into the banner 3 at an end face thereof. The carrying element 4 comprises grip openings 9 arranged respectively above and below a handle element 8.

(10) In one advantageous embodiment, the handle element 8 has weakened areas of material. Of particular use is a weakened area in the form of lines of weakening 10 that form bendable tabs 11. The lines of weakening 10 are shaped so as to run in a slightly curved manner, with two lines of weakening approach one another at their zenith. When bent in the direction of the handle element 8, particularly backwards behind the handle element 8, the tabs 11 make it easier to effectively grip the handle element 8.

(11) In a further embodiment, the tabs 11 are bent along the line of weakening 10 in a manner oriented away from the cluster pack 1. This forms, in a carrying hand, a carrying element 4 that is triangular when seen in cross-section. A handle of this shape is more comfortable for carrying a heavy cluster pack 1.

(12) When the carrying element 4 is gripped, perforations 20, also referred to as “intended tear sites,” on the banner 3 cause the carrying element 4 to be lifted in a manner oriented away from the cluster pack 1, thus forming a handle.

(13) Film ends 12 of the shrink film 7 are glued to the banner 3 at the end faces. Because of a shrink gap 15 that forms at the end faces when the shrink film is shrunk on, the cluster pack 1 is film-free at its end faces. As a result, the film ends 12 do not overlap and also do not butt against one another.

(14) In some embodiments, the containers 2 of the cluster pack 1 are connected to one another at contact surfaces thereof. The connection can be provided by glue or adhesive applied by application stations.

(15) In certain embodiments, the containers 2 in the cluster pack 1 are identically oriented. As a result, it is possible to apply adhesive or glue to the appropriate end face region of one or more corner containers to which the shrink film will be glued.

(16) In other embodiments, an adhesive connects the shrink film ends 12 to the corner containers.

(17) Other embodiments include those in which adhesive or glue is applied to the banner 3 to connect the shrink film ends 12 to the banner 3 at the end faces. An adhesive strip can also be used for this purpose.

(18) FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the cluster pack 1 having a pre-determined number of containers 2, which can be bottles. In the illustrated embodiment, the pre-determined number is six.

(19) In FIG. 3, a casing 13 has an integrated carrying element 14. The casing 13 in this case defines an encompassing element. The casing 13 may have information printed thereon. The information can be a barcode or a QR code 6, or any other information communication medium.

(20) In some embodiments, an encompassing element, such as a shrink film 7, surrounds the containers 2 and the casing 13. The components of the casing 13 may be connected to one another in a suitable manner. If no top is provided, however, the shrink film 7 can be used.

(21) The casing 13 has a bottom part 16 and a top part 17. The carrying element 14 is designed as a grip recess 18 with a carrying web 19. The carrying element is preferably arranged in the bottom part 16, so that the top part 17 is merely optional. In cases where the shrink film 7 encompasses the whole cluster pack 1, no top part 17 is needed.

(22) The inner encompassing element 3, 13, which can be a banner 3 or casing 13, defines a ring or band that surrounds the containers 2.

(23) The film ends of the optional shrink film 7 are glued to the banner 3 at the end faces. The cluster pack 1 is film-free at the end faces. Therefore, the film ends 12 neither overlap each other nor butt against one another. This is also the case for the casing 13. At the casing 13, the film ends 12 likewise do not overlap. Additionally, in some embodiments, adhesive or glue holds the film ends 12 to the end faces.

(24) In some embodiments, the containers 2 of the cluster pack 1 are connected to one another. This can be done by providing glue at selected contact surfaces. Suitable application stations may be provided for applying adhesive and glue. Adhesive or glue can also be applied to the casing 13, and in particular to the bottom part 16 and the optional top part 17, at least at the end faces, in order to adhere the shrink film ends 12 to the casing 13 at the end faces. In some embodiments, an adhesive strip is used instead.