Abstract
A system for packaging a plurality of packing units consisting of packaging sleeves and packing-unit overwrapping on a pallet is illustrated and described, including: a plurality of packing units made of packaging sleeves and packing-unit overwrapping, the packing unit overwrapping enclosing the packaging sleeves; a pallet for stacking the packing units; pallet overwrapping, which encloses the packing units stacked on the pallet; and at least one insert provided under and/or between and/or over the stacked packing units, wherein: the packaging sleeves are produced from a composite material; each packaging sleeve has a front side and a rear side; the front side and the rear side of each packaging sleeve are separated from one another by folding edges, along which the packaging sleeve is folded flat; each packaging sleeve has two openings which are arranged on opposite sides of the packaging sleeve; each packaging sleeve has a longitudinal seam which connects two edges of the composite material to form a peripheral packaging sleeve; and the pallet overwrapping is produced from a plastics film. In order to allow space-saving, cost-effective and secure transport of packaging sleeves, the invention proposes that the packing-unit overwrapping be produced from a plastics film.
Claims
1. A system for packaging a plurality of packages made of package sleeves and a package outer packaging on a pallet, comprising: a plurality of packages made of package sleeves and a package outer packaging, wherein the package outer packaging encloses the package sleeves, a pallet for stacking the packages, a pallet outer packaging which encloses the packages stacked on the pallet, and at least one insert which is arranged under and/or between and/or over the stacked packages, wherein the package sleeves are manufactured from a composite material, wherein each package sleeve has a front side and a rear side, wherein the front side and the rear side of each package sleeve are separated from one another by folding edges, along which the package sleeve is folded together flat, wherein each package sleeve has two openings, which are arranged on opposing sides of the package sleeve, wherein each package sleeve has a longitudinal seam which connects two edges of the composite material to a circumferential package sleeve, and wherein the pallet outer packaging is manufactured from a plastic film, wherein the package outer packaging is manufactured from a plastic film.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein a base layer is provided as the insert which is arranged on the pallet under the packages.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one intermediate layer is provided as the insert which is arranged between a plurality of layers of packages stacked one on top of another on the pallet.
4. The system according to claim 1, wherein a cover is provided as the insert which is arranged on the uppermost layer of packages.
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the insert, in particular the intermediate layer is arranged outside of the package outer packaging, but inside the pallet outer packaging.
6. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one insert, in particular at least one intermediate layer, comprises a means for sterilisation and/or disinfection.
7. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one edge protector to be arranged between the packages stacked one on top of another on the pallet and the pallet outer packaging.
8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the pallet outer packaging is manufactured from a UV protective film.
9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plastic film of the package outer packaging and/or the plastic film of the pallet outer packaging is printed.
10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plastic film of the package outer packaging and/or the plastic film of the pallet outer packaging has stretch properties and/or shrink properties.
11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the package outer packaging combines the package sleeves in such manner that in the stacking direction are arranged at least 4.0 package sleeves per cm, in particular at least 4.5 package sleeves per cm, in particular at least 5.0 package sleeves per cm, in particular at least 5.5 package sleeves per cm, in particular at least 6.0 package sleeves per cm, in particular at least 6.5 package sleeves per cm, in particular at least 6.75 package sleeves per cm, in particular at least 7.0 package sleeves per cm, in particular at least 7.25 package sleeves per cm or at least 7.5 package sleeves per cm.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of a drawing representing only one preferred exemplary embodiment. In the drawing is shown:
[0023] FIG. 1A: a blank for folding a package sleeve known from the prior art,
[0024] FIG. 1B: a package sleeve known from the prior art, which is formed by the blank shown in FIG. 1A, in the folded-flat state,
[0025] FIG. 2A: a first package known from the prior art made of outer packaging and a plurality of package sleeves,
[0026] FIG. 2B: a second package known from the prior art made of outer packaging and a plurality of package sleeves,
[0027] FIG. 3A: a package sleeve group with a package outer packaging,
[0028] FIG. 3B: a package made of package sleeves and a package outer packaging,
[0029] FIG. 4: a package made of package sleeves and a package outer packaging in a top view,
[0030] FIG. 5: a system according to the invention for packaging a plurality of packages on a pallet in a perspective view, and
[0031] FIG. 6: the system according to the invention from FIG. 5 in an exploded view.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] In FIG. 1A, a blank 1 known from the prior art is represented, from which a package sleeve can be formed. The blank 1 can comprise a plurality of layers of different materials, for example paper, carton, cardboard, plastic or metal, in particular aluminium. The blank 1 has a plurality of fold lines 2, which should facilitate the folding of the blank 1 and divide the blank 1 into a plurality of surfaces. The blank 1 can be subdivided into a first side surface 3, a second side surface 4, a front surface 5, a rear surface 6, a sealing surface 7, base surfaces 8 and gable surfaces 9. A package sleeve is formed from the blank 1 by folding the blank 1 in such manner that the sealing surface 7 can be connected, in particular welded with the front surface 5.
[0033] FIG. 1B shows a package sleeve 10 known from the prior art in the folded-flat state. The regions of the package sleeve already described in connection with FIG. 1A are provided in FIG. 1B with corresponding reference numerals. The package sleeve 10 is formed from the blank 1 shown in FIG. 1A. To this end, the blank 1 is folded in such manner that the sealing surface 7 and the front surface 5 are arranged overlapping such that the two surfaces can be welded flat with one another. As a result, there is a longitudinal seam 11. The package sleeve 10 is represented in FIG. 1B in a state which is folded flat along two fold lines F. In this state, a side surface 4 (concealed in FIG. 1B), is located under the front surface 5 while the other side surface 3 on the rear surface 6 (concealed in FIG. 1B). The front surface 5 and the side surface 3 adjoined thereto therefore form a front side 12 of the package sleeve 10 and the rear surface 6 and the side surface 6 adjoined thereto therefore form a rear side 13 of the package sleeve 10. In the folded-flat state, a plurality of package sleeves 10 can be stacked in a particularly space-saving manner. Therefore, the package sleeves 10 are often stacked at the location of manufacture and transported in a stacked manner to the location of filling. Only there are the package sleeves 10 unstacked and unfolded in order to be able to fill them with contents, for example foodstuffs. The filling can take place under aseptic conditions. The foodstuffs can contain at least one liquid component.
[0034] FIG. 2A shows a first package 14′ known from the prior art made of a package outer packaging 15′ and a plurality of package sleeves 10 and FIG. 2B shows a second package 14″ known from the prior art made of a package outer packaging 15″ and a plurality of package sleeves 10. In the case of the package 14′ shown in FIG. 2A, the package outer packaging 15′ is formed from corrugated cardboard and is therefore very rigid. The package outer packaging 15′ from FIG. 2A therefore offers very good mechanical protection for the package sleeves 10 stored therein. A disadvantage of the package outer packaging 15′ is, however, the very low elasticity which does not allow the package 14′ to be compressed and therefore transported in a space-saving manner. Additionally, a rigid outer packaging has the disadvantage of having to be broken down after removing the package sleeves 10 in order to take up less volume. In the case of the package 14″ shown in FIG. 2B, the package outer packaging 15″ is formed from paper, the package sleeves 10 are thus wrapped in paper like a gift. The package outer packaging 15″ can therefore be easily folded together after removing the package sleeves 10 and disposed of. A disadvantage of the package outer packaging 15″ is, however, the low elasticity and low tear-resistance of the paper. The package 14″ can therefore not receive package sleeves 10 compressed in a space-saving manner inside it since the restoring forces would lead to the paper tearing.
[0035] FIG. 3A shows a package sleeve group 16 with a package outer packaging and FIG. 3B shows a package 14 manufactured therefrom. For better understanding, FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are perspective representations. The regions, which have already been previously described, are provided in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B with corresponding reference numerals. The package outer packaging 15 is formed from an elastic plastic film 17 in FIG. 3A and in FIG. 3B. The plastic film can have a weld seam 18 or also a plurality of weld seams 18, for example two weld seams 18 arranged at opposite sides. The protruding ends 19 of the plastic film 17 can be deflected at both end faces of the package sleeve group 16 by means of hot air. To this end, four hot air nozzles 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D are preferably arranged at both end faces of the package sleeve group 16 of which only the front nozzles are shown. The application of the protruding ends 19 of the plastic film 17 leads to them laying on the end surfaces of the package sleeve group 16 and they can be welded together there, as is discernible in FIG. 3B where a finished package 14 is represented. Since the protruding ends 19 of the plastic film 17 are very short, the end faces of the package sleeve group 16 cannot be completely covered with plastic film when the protruding ends 19 are laid on the end surface and welded together. It is in fact discernible in FIG. 3B that a type of window 21 is formed in the centre of the end surfaces. Alternatively to this, the protruding ends 19 of the plastic film 17 can also be designed longer, whereby a package 14 results, which is sealed on its end faces completely by plastic film 17. It is also discernible that at both sides of the package 14 weld seams 18 are laid on the end faces. Hot air is firstly preferably provided into the opposing nozzles 20A and 20B so that the protruding upper and lower ends 19 of the plastic film 17 lay on the end face of the package sleeve group 16, before the nozzles 20C and 20D are then activated such that all protruding ends 19 are laid flat and welded with one another. It is clear that in this case welding should not take place between the plastic film 17 and the coating of the outer package sleeve 10 of the package sleeve group 16. Lastly, it is clearly discernible in FIG. 3A that the package sleeve group 16 in the region of its end faces both at the corners and also along its edges tightly comprises the package sleeve group 16, whereby a fixed unit results which is dimensionally stable and therefore easy to transport.
[0036] Alternatively to the configuration shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, provision can be made for the plastic film 17 not to have weld seams. For example, the lateral weld seams running along the stacking direction can be dispensed with since the plastic film 17 is already manufactured in tubular shape (e.g. by extrusion). Additionally, provision can be made for the plastic film 17 to be pouch-shaped such that it is already sealed at its one end and only needs to be sealed on the front end face.
[0037] FIG. 4 shows a package 14 according to the invention made of a plurality of package sleeves 10 and a package outer packaging in a top view. The regions, which have already been previously described, are also provided with corresponding reference numerals in FIG. 4. Twenty package sleeves 10 are shown which, in a tightly stacked manner, are surrounded and held together by a plastic film 17. The stacking direction S is represented schematically by a double arrow and runs perpendicular through the package sleeves 10. The plastic film 17 forms, in the region of the lower end surface, a window 21, as has already been described in connection with FIG. 3B. Each package sleeve 10 discernibly has three regions with increased thickness: the regions of the two folding edges F and the region of the longitudinal seam 11. This is particularly clear in the enlarged section of FIG. 4 (represented at the top). The package sleeves 10 have a minimum thickness D.sub.1, which is lower than the thickness D.sub.2 in the region of the longitudinal seam 11 and also smaller than the thickness D.sub.3 in the region of the folding edges F. The increased thickness D.sub.2 in the region of the longitudinal seam 11 is justified in that the end region 5′ of the front surface 5 and the end region 7′ of the sealing surface 7 form an overlap in the region of the longitudinal seam 11. The package sleeve 10 thus has an at least three-layered structure, instead of a two-layered structure, in the region of the longitudinal seam 11. The thickness D.sub.1 of the package sleeve 10 is for example in the range of between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm, while the increased thickness D.sub.2 of the package sleeve 10 is for example in the range of between 0.6 mm and 3.0 mm. The transition between the different thicknesses is also called a “layer jump”. The plastic film 17 can be laid around the package sleeves 10 in the region of the folding edges F and can therefore be formed in an undulating manner in this region (discernible in the enlarged region of FIG. 4). This can be achieved through the elasticity of the plastic film 17 and/or by using a shrink film.
[0038] In addition to the overlap, one or both end regions 5′, 7′ can be folded over. Folding over the inner end region (in FIG. 4: end region 7′) has the advantage that only the innermost layer of the material of the package sleeve 10 can come into contact with the content of the package to be manufactured therefrom. This results in the other layers of the material of the package sleeve 10, for example a middle layer made of paper, carton or cardboard being separated from the content of the package. In this manner, both the leak-tightness of the package is ensured and hygienic requirements are met. A complete folding-over of the inner end region 7′ would, however, lead to a further increase of the thickness of the package sleeve 10 in the region of the longitudinal seam 11. Provision can therefore be made for only some of the layers of the end region 7′, in particular the innermost layer of the end region 7′ to be folded over. To this end, the other layers are separated or removed prior to folding over.
[0039] As is discernible in FIG. 4, the package sleeves 10 can only be stacked as dense as their density regions allow. These are in particular the regions of the two folding edges F and the region of the longitudinal seam 11. The thickness of the stacking of the package sleeves 10 can be measured and indicated by the number of the package sleeves 10 per unit of length L being indicated, with the unit of length L being measured along the stacking direction S. In order to obtain the most precise information about the stack density, a number of package sleeves 10 should be counted and their number divided by the unit of length L (e.g. one hundred package sleeves 10). The stack density is preferably at least 4.0 package sleeves per cm, in particular at least 4.5 package sleeves per cm, in particular at least 5.0 package sleeves per cm, in particular at least 5.5 package sleeves per cm, in particular at least 6.0 package sleeves per cm, in particular at least 6.5 package sleeves per cm, in particular at least 6.75 package sleeves per cm, in particular at least 7.0 package sleeves per cm, in particular at least 7.25 package sleeves per cm or at least 7.5 package sleeves per cm.
[0040] A system 22 according to the invention for packaging a plurality of packages 14 on a pallet 23 is represented in FIG. 5 in a perspective view. The regions, which have already been previously described, are also provided with corresponding reference numerals in FIG. 5. The system 22 comprises a pallet 23 for stacking the packages 14, with each package 14 being formed from package sleeves 10 and a package outer packaging 15. The package outer packaging 15 is manufactured from a plastic film 17. The system 22 also comprise a pallet outer packaging 24, which surrounds the packages 14 stacked on the pallet 23 and is also manufactured from a plastic film, for example from a shrink film and/or stretch film. The system 22 can also comprise an edge protector 25, which should protect the package 14 during transport and is for example manufactured from reinforced cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard. The system 22 also has at least one insert 26 (not represented in FIG. 5) about which more detail will be given in connection with FIG. 6.
[0041] FIG. 6 shows the system 22 according to the invention for packaging a plurality of packages 14 made of package sleeves 10 on a pallet 23 in an exploded view. The regions of the system, which have already been previously described, are also provided with corresponding reference numerals in FIG. 6. In the exploded view, the individual components of the system 22 are represented detached and spaced apart from one another, with in particular the shape and arrangement of the different inserts 26 being visible:
[0042] The first, lowermost, insert is a base layer 26A, which is laid directly on the pallet 23 and is therefore arranged between the pallet 23 and the lowermost layer of packages 14. The size of the base layer 26A preferably corresponds roughly to the size of the pallet 23 (e.g. 1200 mm×800 mm or 1200 mm×1000 mm) in order to be able to completely cover the pallet 23 and to provide a flat, stable and anti-slip support for the stacking of the packages 14. The base layer 26A is arranged outside of the package outer packaging 15, but inside the pallet outer packaging 24. The base layer 26A is preferably manufactured from paper or cardboard and can have a thickness of at least 300 g/m.sup.2, in particular of at least 400 g/m.sup.2, preferably of roughly 500 g/m.sup.2.
[0043] The second type of inserts are one or a plurality of intermediate layers 26B which are arranged between the layers of packages 14 stacked on top of one another. The size of the intermediate layers 26B preferably corresponds roughly to the size of the pallet 23 (e.g. 1200 mm×800 mm or 1200 mm×1000 mm) or is slightly below it in order to be able to cover or reach all packages 14 of a layer. The intermediate layers 26B are arranged outside of the package outer packaging 15, but inside of the pallet outer packaging 24. The intermediate layers 26B also preferably have anti-slip properties in order to be able to stabilise the stacking. The intermediate layers 26B are preferably manufactured from paper or cardboard and can have a thickness of at least 80 g/m.sup.2, in particular of at least 90 g/m.sup.2, preferably of roughly 100 g/m.sup.2.
[0044] The third uppermost insert is a cover 26C, laid on the upper most layer of packages 14 or on the intermediate layer 26B located there and is therefore arranged at the very top. The cover 26C therefore serves to finish the upper end of the stacking. The size of the cover 26C also preferably corresponds roughly to the size of the pallet 23 (e.g. 1200 mm×800 mm or 1200 mm×1000 mm) in order to be able to cover or reach all packages 14 of a layer. The cover 26C is preferably also arranged outside of the package outer packaging 15, but inside the pallet outer packaging 24. The cover 26C is preferably manufactured from paper or cardboard and can have a thickness of at least 80 g/m.sup.2, in particular of at least 90 g/m.sup.2, preferably of roughly 100 g/m.sup.2. Alternatively or in addition to a cover 26C made of paper or cardboard, a cover 26C made of a film can be provided, with a thickness of at least 100 g/m.sup.2 being preferred. The cover 26C can also be configured in a multi-layered manner, with the first layer, which is preferably manufactured from paper or cardboard, for example being responsible for the dimensional stability and the protection of the packages 14 and wherein the second layer, which is preferably manufactured from a film, for example serving to protect the packages 14 against moisture.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0045] 1: blank
[0046] 2: fold line
[0047] 3, 4: side surface
[0048] 5: front surface
[0049] 5′: end region (of the front surface 5)
[0050] 6: rear surface
[0051] 7: sealing surface
[0052] 7′: end region (of the sealing surface 7)
[0053] 8: base surface
[0054] 9: gable surface
[0055] 10: package sleeve
[0056] 11: longitudinal seam
[0057] 12: front side (of the package sleeve 10)
[0058] 13: rear side (of the package sleeve 10)
[0059] 14, 14′, 14″: package
[0060] 15, 15′, 15″: package outer packaging
[0061] 16: package sleeve group
[0062] 17: plastic film
[0063] 18: weld seam
[0064] 19: end (of the plastic film 16)
[0065] 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D: hot air nozzles
[0066] 21: window
[0067] 22: system
[0068] 23: pallet
[0069] 24: pallet outer packaging
[0070] 25: edge protector
[0071] 26: insert
[0072] 26A: base layer
[0073] 26B: intermediate layer
[0074] 26C: cover
[0075] D.sub.1: minimum thickness (of the package sleeve 10)
[0076] D.sub.2: thickness (in the region of the longitudinal seam 11)
[0077] D.sub.3: thickness (in the region of the folding edges F)
[0078] L: unit of length
[0079] F: folding edge (of the package sleeve 10)
[0080] S: stacking direction
