PACKAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING PACKAGING TO AN ARTICLE COMBINATION

Abstract

A packaging apparatus and a method for applying packaging (20) to an article combination (30) comprising at least two articles in each instance. The packaging apparatus comprises at least one preparation die for preparing the packaging (20). The preparation die (40) comprises a folding device for folding over opposite edge regions (23) of a packaging blank (21) that forms the packaging (20). The packaging apparatus further comprises an application die for receiving the prepared packaging blank (21v) and for applying said blank to the article combination (30), so that the packaging (20) applied to the articles is disposed at least in part between the articles, wherein the packaging (20) applied to the articles at least partially surrounds outer lateral surfaces (36) of the article combination (30).

Claims

1. A packaging apparatus (80) for applying packaging (20) to an article combination (30) having at least two articles (31), comprising: at least one preparation die (40) comprising at least one folding device (10) configured to fold at least two opposing edge regions (23) of a packaging blank (21) to approximately 90 degrees, and at least one application die (41) configured to receive the folded packaging blank (21) and to apply it to the article combination (30) by a downward movement, so that the folded packaging blank (21) applied to the articles (31) is disposed, at least, in part, between the articles (31) and (31) at least partially surrounds outer lateral surfaces (36) of the article combination (30).

2. The packaging apparatus (80) of claim 1, wherein the application die (41) comprises: at least two receptacles disposed next to one another, and at least one vertically formed or vertically aligned separating device (60) between the at least two receptacles, wherein a folded edge region (23) of each packaging blank (21) rests against the separating device (60), and wherein the separating device (60) projects downward beyond the folded edge regions (23) of the packaging blanks (21), wherein the application die (41) is configured to dispose the separating device (60) between the articles (31) supplied in an ordered mass flow (MS) and to apply the at least two packaging blanks (201) to form at least two adjacent packaging units (70) simultaneously or approximately simultaneously for a defined number and composition of articles (31) of the ordered mass flow (MS).

3. The packaging apparatus (80) of claim 2, wherein the preparation die (40) further comprises devices for preparing passage openings (22) of the packaging blank (21).

4. The packaging apparatus (80) of claim 3, wherein the preparation die (40) comprises: an upper die (2) having at least one receiving device (4) or holding device for the packaging blank (21), and a lower die (3) having a plurality of expansion tools (6).

5. The packaging apparatus (80) of claim 4, wherein the preparation die (40) comprises an exchangeable format part that is configurable to correspond to a number and arrangement of the passage openings (22) of the packaging blank (21) to be processed.

6. The packaging apparatus (80) of claim 5, wherein the application die (41) has lateral boundary surfaces (18), against which lateral boundary surfaces (18), the folded edge regions (23) of the packaging blank (21) are held in their folded arrangement or folded position during application to the articles (31).

7. The packaging apparatus (80) of claim 6, wherein the separating device (60) comprises a vertical guide surface or is formed by at least one vertical guide finger or guide cone.

8. A method for applying packaging (20) to an article combination (30) comprising at least two articles (31), the method comprising: folding over to approximately 90 degrees that at least two opposing edge regions (23) of a packaging blank (21), thereafter applying the folding packaging blank (21) to an article combination (30) by a downward movement, wherein the packaging blank (21) applied to the articles (31) is disposed, at least in part, between the articles (31) and at least partially surrounds outer lateral surfaces (36) of the article combination (30).

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises: simultaneously or approximately simultaneously applying at least two packaging blanks (21) to articles (31) to form at least two packaging units (70), feeding the articles (31) directly adjacent to one another in the ordered mass flow (MS), disposing the at least two folded packaging blanks (21) next to one another in receptacles of at least one application die (41), wherein the application die (41) comprises at least one vertically formed or vertically aligned separating device (60) between the receptacles, wherein the folded-over edge region (23) of packaging blanks (21) rests against the separating device (60), and wherein the separating device (60) projects downward beyond the folded edge regions (23) of the packaging blanks (21), lowering the application die (41), with the at least two folded packaging blanks (21) over the articles (31) being fed in the ordered mass flow (MS), inserting the separating device (60) between articles (31) of the ordered mass flow (MS) and whereupon the at least two packaging blanks (21) are applied to a defined number and composition of articles (31) of the ordered mass flow (MS) to simultaneously or approximately simultaneously form at least two adjacent packaging units (70).

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the inserting step creates a distance (A), by the separating device (60), at least in an upper region, between adjacent articles (31), in the mass flow (MS), in order to dispose the folded edge regions (23) of the packaging blanks (21) between adjacent articles (31) and to apply the packaging blanks (21) to the articles (31) to form an article combination (30).

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the application die (41) further comprises lateral boundary surfaces (18) as contact surfaces for folded edge regions (23), wherein the lateral boundary surfaces (18) are capable of acting as an additional separating device for separating articles (31) of the mass flow (MS).

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the lateral boundary surfaces (18) create, a distance (A), at least in an upper region, between adjacent articles (31) in the mass flow (MS).

13. The method claim 8, wherein all four lateral edge regions (23) of a substantially rectangular packaging blank (21) are folded over to approximately 90 degrees.

14. The method pf claim 13, further comprising preparing passage openings (22) of the packaging blanks (21) between the folding over step and the applying step.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the preparing step comprises at least slightly pre-expanding of the passage openings (22) or folding of fixing devices (25) associated with the passage openings (22).

16. The packaging apparatus (80) of claim wherein the folded edge regions (23) of the packaging blank (21) at least partially surround outer lateral surfaces (36) of the article combination (30).

17. The method of claim 8, wherein the folded edge regions (23) of the packaging blank (21) at least partially surround outer lateral surfaces (36) of the article combination (30).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0133] Exemplary embodiments of the invention and their advantages are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. The proportions of the individual elements relative to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual proportions, since some forms are simplified, while other forms are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration.

[0134] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the receptacle of packaging by a preparation die in different perspective views.

[0135] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a first step in the preparation of packaging using a preparation die.

[0136] FIGS. 5 to 7 show the folding of the side edge regions of the packaging blank.

[0137] FIGS. 8 to 10 show the grasping of the prepared packaging blank.

[0138] FIGS. 11 and 12 show the application of the prepared packaging blank to an article combination.

[0139] FIG. 13 shows an application die for simultaneously applying four prepared packaging blanks to articles.

[0140] FIG. 14 shows the feeding of articles in the ordered mass flow.

[0141] FIGS. 15 to 18 show further views of the application die according to FIG. 13.

[0142] FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of a packaging apparatus.

[0143] FIG. 20 shows a further embodiment of a packaging apparatus.

[0144] FIG. 21 shows a further embodiment of a packaging apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0145] Identical reference numerals are used for identical elements of the invention or those having the same effect. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference signs are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention can be configured, and they are non-limiting.

[0146] The schematic views of FIGS. 1 and 2 show the receiving of packaging 20 by a preparation die 40.

[0147] The packaging 20 is formed by a flat packaging blank 21 which has passage openings 22 for the at least partial passage of the articles to be combined. As part of the preparation of the packaging blank 21, lateral edge regions 23 of the packaging blank 21 are folded downward. In the finished packaging unit, these downwardly folded lateral edge regions 23 at least partially surround outer lateral surfaces of the article combination.

[0148] In particular, it can be provided that the packaging 20 provides corresponding folding edges 24 which support or facilitate the process of folding the lateral edge regions 23.

[0149] The preparation die 40 comprises a first upper die 2 and a lower die 3. The upper die 2 comprises at least one receiving device 4 for the packaging blank 21, for example a retaining pin 5, which engages in a suitable receiving opening of the packaging blank. Alternatively, the upper die 2 can also be equipped with a suction device, for example, in order to securely grasp and hold the packaging blank 21.

[0150] The lower die 3 comprises an arrangement of expansion tools 6, which are also referred to below as expansion cones 7. The number and arrangement of the expansion cones 7 corresponds to the number and arrangement of the passage openings 22 of the packaging blank 21.

[0151] The schematic perspective representations of FIGS. 3 and 4 show a first step in the preparation of packaging 20; in particular FIG. 4 shows only the lower die 3 with the packaging blank 21.

[0152] The upper die 2 with the packaging blank 21 disposed thereon is now placed on the lower die 3, so that the expansion cones 6 at least partially pass through the passage openings 22 of the packaging blank 21. Due to the downwardly widening cross-sectional area of the expansion cones 7, the edge regions of the passage openings 22 are pre-broken and formed based on the shape predefined by the expansion cones 6.

[0153] Preferably, the passage openings 22 have suitable fixing devices 25, which can be formed, for example, by fixing tabs 26. For example, fixing tabs are formed by notches 27 or the like extending radially from the openings.

[0154] Due to the expansion cones 7, the fixing tabs 26 are pre-broken at the notches 27 and can thereby be folded upward at least slightly.

[0155] Preferably, the packaging blank 21 is pressed down by the upper die 2 until it stops on the expansion cones 7 of the lower die 3.

[0156] The corner regions 8 of the lower die 3 also form a free-form surface 9 for forming the corners of the packaging blank 21 to be formed between the foldable edge regions 23.

[0157] For a person skilled in the art, it is of course self-evident that the lower die 3 can also be brought into operative connection with the upper die 2 by an upward movement.

[0158] The unit with which the upper die 2 and the lower die 3 are operatively connected is also referred to as the pre-breaking unit 20.

[0159] FIGS. 5 to 7 show the folding of the lateral edge regions 23 of the packaging blank 21. In particular, FIG. 5 additionally shows a further component 11 of the preparation die 40 configured as a folding device or folding element 10. In particular, FIGS. 6 and 7 show different perspective views of sectional views of a preparation die 40 formed from upper die 2, lower die 3 and folding element 10.

[0160] The folding element 10 has lateral, at least partially vertically aligned, side surfaces 12 and also access openings 13 for sub-regions 15 of the first upper die 2 and guide receptacles 14 for guide elements 16 of the first upper die 2.

[0161] The folding element 10 moves downward onto the pre-breaking unit 20 formed by the upper die 2 and the lower die 3. In this case, the lateral edge regions 23 of the packaging blank 21 disposed between the upper die 2 and the lower die 3, which edge regions protrude laterally from the pre-breaking unit 20, are folded downward by the side surfaces 12 of the folding element 10.

[0162] Furthermore, the sub-regions 15 of the first upper die 2 reach through the access openings 13 of the folding element 10 and the guide elements 16 of the first upper die 2 reach into the guide receptacles 14 of the folding element 10. This allows a secure and guided placement of the folding element 10 onto the pre-breaking unit 20.

[0163] Now the connection between the receiving device 4 of the upper die 2 and the packaging blank 21 prepared by pre-breaking and pre-folding is released, and the folding element 11 moves upward together with the upper die 3. For example, it can be provided that the upper die 3 is grasped at the upwardly projecting sub-regions 15 and lifted upward, wherein the folding element 11, which is in operative connection with the upper die 3 via the access openings 13, is also necessarily moved upward.

[0164] The upper die 2, the lower die 3 and the folding element 10 thus form components of a possible embodiment of a preparation die 40 for preparing the packaging 20, which preparation die 40 comprises at least one folding device in the form of the folding element 10, which is configured to fold at least two opposing edge regions 23in particular all four edge regions of a rectangular packaging blank 21 forming the packaging 20by 90 degrees.

[0165] The correspondingly prepared packaging blank 21, which is subsequently identified by the reference sign 21v, remains resting at least partially on the lower die 3, as can be seen in FIG. 8.

[0166] FIGS. 8 to 10 show the grasping of the prepared packaging blank 21v by a second upper die 19 of an application die 41, which is equipped with boundary surfaces 18 extending downward at the sides. Analogous to the first upper die 3 (see FIGS. 1 to 3), the second upper die 19 is also equipped with receiving devices 4 for the packaging blank 21, in particular for receiving the correspondingly prepared packaging blank 21v.

[0167] The second upper die 19 is applied to the lower die 3 on which the prepared packaging blank 21v at least partially rests, and the prepared packaging blank 21v is grasped by the receiving devices 4, for example by hooks, suction cups or similar suitable receiving devices 4. The lateral boundary surfaces 18 of the second upper die 19 protrude downward to such an extent that the downwardly folded lateral edge regions 23 of the prepared packaging blank 21v are completely covered by the lateral boundary surfaces 18. In particular, the lateral boundary surfaces 18 ensure that the downwardly folded edge regions 23 of the correspondingly prepared packaging blank 21v remain in the folded state.

[0168] FIGS. 11 and 12 show the application of the prepared packaging blank 21v to an article combination 30.

[0169] The article combination 30 is formed in particular by a plurality of articles 31. Articles 31 or containers are preferably beverage containers, in particular bottles made of PET or another suitable plastics material. Preferably, the articles 30 or containers can also be formed by cans 32 made of plastics material and/or aluminum or another metal or the like. However, the application die 41 shown is also suitable for disposing a suitably prepared packaging blank 21v on other suitable articles 31 or containers and for securing it to them.

[0170] The application die 31, in particular the second upper die 19, is applied together with the grasped prepared packaging blank 21v from above onto the article combination 31. The second upper die 19 is placed above the article combination 31 in such a way that the lid regions 33 of the cans 32 pass through the passage openings 22 of the prepared packaging blank 21v. In particular, the prepared packaging blank 21v is fixed below the flanged edge 34 of the cans 32 by engaging the fixing tabs 26 below the flanged edge 34.

[0171] In particular, the lid region 33 of the cans 32 is thus located above the packaging blank 21 after the packaging blank 21 has been fixed to the cans 32, while the cylindrical can body 35 is located below the packaging blank 21.

[0172] The laterally folded edge regions 23 of the packaging blank 21 surround outer lateral surfaces 36 of the cylindrical can body 35 below the flanged edge 34.

[0173] Due to the arrangement and fastening of the packaging blank 21 on the articles 31, a packaging unit is formed (not shown). With the packaging unit, the packaging blank 21 is in engagement with the articles 31 in such a way that the packaging blank 21 is secured to the articles 31 in a substantially stationary manner, and the articles 31 can no longer make any significant relative movements or changes in position relative to one another and relative to the packaging blank 21. As a result, the packaging blank 21 can be removed from the articles 31 of the packaging unit again only by applying increased force with an upwardly directed force component, wherein the packaging blank 21 is generally at least partially destroyed. The packaging blank 21 preferably consists of a cardboard material, a plastics material, a cardboard-plastics composite material or the like.

[0174] The second upper die 19 thus forms a possible embodiment of an application die 41 which is configured to receive the prepared packaging 21v from the lower die 3 and to apply it to the article combination 30 by a downward movement, so that the packaging 21v applied to the articles 31 is disposed at least in part between the articles 31 and so that the packaging 21v applied to the articles 31 at least partially surrounds outer lateral surfaces 36 of the article combination 30, in particular wherein the folded-over edge regions 23 of the packaging 21v at least partially surround outer lateral surfaces 36 of the article combination 31. The passage openings 22 of the packaging blank 21 applied to the articles 31 are fixed in particular to a lid region 33 of the articles 31. Preferably, the fixing devices 25 engage below the cover region 33. The folded edge regions 23 of the packaging 21 form a collar around an upper region of the outer surfaces 36 of the articles 31.

[0175] According to an alternative embodiment, it can be provided that the folding element 10, instead of the side surfaces 12 according to FIGS. 5 to 7, comprises a type of cage or frame made of vertical metal sheets, which, in addition to folding, take over the function of the lateral boundary surfaces 18 of the second upper die 19. In this case, it is provided that the correspondingly prepared packaging blank 21v is removed directly with the first upper die 2 and the cage or frame from the lower die 3 and that the prepared packaging blank 21v can now be disposed directly on the articles 31 of the article combination 30.

[0176] The perspective view of FIG. 13 shows an application die 41 for simultaneously applying four prepared packaging blanks 21v to articles 31, in particular to articles 31 which are fed in the ordered mass flow MS, as shown in FIG. 14.

[0177] FIGS. 15 to 18 show further views of the application die 41 according to FIG. 13, wherein in particular FIG. 15 shows a side view, while FIG. 16 shows a sectional view. In addition, FIGS. 17 and 18 show by way of example the arrangement of the application die 41 on the articles 31.

[0178] Articles 31 are moved in particular in the ordered mass flow MS in the transport direction TR. For example, the articles 31 are pushed over a transfer plate 51 by a push rod 50. The mass flow MS is preferably limited on the outside by guide elements 52, for example lane separators 53. Furthermore, within the mass flow MS a further guiding can be provided by a central guide element 54 in the form of a central lane separator 55. In this case, a plurality of articles 31 are in each instance combined on one side of the central guide element 52 by packaging 20 to form a packaging unit.

[0179] The preparation of the packaging blanks 21 takes place, for example, as described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 7. The application die 41 is formed from four second upper dies 19, which, after receiving the prepared packaging blanks 21v, are disposed close enough together that in each instance adjacent boundary surfaces 18 touch or almost touch one another and form a separating element or a separating device 60. The upper dies 19 form receptacles for the prepared packaging 21v, wherein the folded edge regions 23 of each packaging 21v in each instance rests against a separating device 60 and wherein the separating device 60 projects downward beyond the folded edge regions 23 of the prepared packaging 21v.

[0180] Alternatively, four lower dies with prepared packaging blanks 21v (see FIG. 3) are disposed directly adjacent to one another and the four prepared packaging blanks 21v are grasped by an application die 41, which comprises four correspondingly disposed receptacles for prepared packaging blanks 21v and in each instance a vertically configured separating device 60 between two adjacent receptacles, wherein the folded edge regions 23 of each packaging 21v in each instance rests against a separating device 60, and wherein the separating device 60 projects downward beyond the folded edge regions 23 of the prepared packaging 21v.

[0181] The application dies 41 are configured to dispose the separating devices 60 between the articles 31 supplied in the ordered mass flow MS and to form at least a small distance A between the articles 31, which articles 31 are to be assigned to different article combinations 30-1, 30-2, because these subsequently form different packaging units.

[0182] In particular, four prepared packaging blanks 21v are in each instance disposed on articles 31 by the application die 41.

[0183] The articles 31 to be combined in each instance by a packaging blank 21v form a respective article combination 30 within the mass flow MS, even if this article combination 30 is not visibly separated from adjacent articles 31 within the mass flow MS. The hatching used in the figures is for the purpose of improving understanding only.

[0184] The application die 41 is configured in particular to apply the four prepared packaging blanks 21v to form four packaging units simultaneously in each instance to a defined number and composition of articles 31 of the ordered mass flow MS.

[0185] FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of a packaging apparatus 80, which is configured in particular to apply at least two packaging materials 21 to articles 31, in order to simultaneously form two, in particular adjacent, packaging units 70, 70-1, 70-2.

[0186] The packaging apparatus 80 comprises a feeding transport device 81, via which articles 31 are preferably fed in the ordered mass flow MS in the transport direction TR. This can be, for example, a transfer plate 51 with a push rod according to FIG. 14 or a conveyor belt or another suitable transport device 81.

[0187] In particular, these are identically configured Article 31. The different hatchings were used in order to in each instance identify articles 31 which form an article combination 30, 30-1, 30-2, which are subsequently combined by packaging to form packaging units 70, 70-1, 70-2.

[0188] The packaging, which is configured in particular as packaging blanks, as described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 18, are prepared in a preparation module 82 with a corresponding preparation die 40 by folding over at least the lateral edge regions of the packaging blanks. If necessary, additional preparation, in particular pre-breaking, of the passage openings can be provided.

[0189] The packaging blanks are provided, for example, in a magazine 83 assigned to the preparation module 82. Subsequently, for example, two prepared packaging blanks are taken over by a suitably configured application die 41 and applied in an application module 84 to the articles 31 of the mass flow MS to form two adjacent, in particular bordering, packaging units 70-1, 70-2.

[0190] In this case, adjacent articles 31, which subsequently form different packaging units 70-1, 70-2, are slightly pushed apart by the separating device of the application die 41, at least in an upper region, in order to dispose the lateral edge regions of the packaging blanks between the articles 31.

[0191] An embodiment not shown can provide that the preparation module 82 and optionally the magazine 83 are integrated into the application module 84.

[0192] For example, the application die 41 can comprise four receptacles for four prepared packaging blanks in each instance and separating devices disposed accordingly between the four receptacles, so that four packaging units 70 can be produced simultaneously within the mass flow MS in one work cycle T1.

[0193] Alternatively, the application die 41 can comprise two receptacles for two prepared packaging blanks in each instance and a separating device disposed between the two receptacles, so that in one work cycle T2 two packaging units 70 disposed next to one another can be produced simultaneously within the mass flow MS.

[0194] According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that the packaging apparatus 80 in the application module 84 uses two application dies 41 in parallel, in each instance with two receptacles for two prepared packaging blanks in each instance, wherein two packaging units 70 disposed one behind the other in the transport direction TR can be produced by the first of the two application dies 41 in a work cycle T3 and two packaging units 70 disposed one behind the other in the transport direction TR can be produced within the mass flow MS at the same time by the second of the two application dies 41 in a work cycle T4.

[0195] FIG. 20 shows a further embodiment of a packaging apparatus 80. Here, two application modules 84, 84-1, 84-2 are disposed one behind the other in the transport direction TR. Each of the application modules 84-1, 84-2 is assigned a preparation module 82-1, 82-2 and a magazine 83-1, 83-2. Alternatively, it can be provided that the two preparation modules 82-1, 82-2 access a common magazine.

[0196] The application modules 84-1, 84-2 can be disposed directly one after the other; to clarify the mode of operation, they are shown spaced apart. The first application module 84-1 only processes in each instance every other cycle and thereby produces four packaging units 70, wherein disposed between in each instance two cycles of four packaging units 70 in each instance is a corresponding article combination, from which four packaging units 70 are subsequently produced in the second application module 84-2. Due to the arrangement of two application modules 84 one behind the other, the throughput of the packaging apparatus 80 can be increased.

[0197] FIG. 21 shows a further embodiment of a packaging apparatus 80, which is in particular configured to apply four packaging materials 21 to sixteen articles 31, in order to simultaneously form four adjacent packaging units 70, 70-1, 70-2.

[0198] The packaging apparatus 80 comprises a grouping module or dividing module 85, in which article groups 90 in each instance comprising sixteen articles 31 are formed. The article groups 90 are fed to the application module 84 via the feeding transport device 81 in the transport direction TR. The transport device 84 can be, for example, a transfer plate 51 with a push rod according to FIG. 14 or a conveyor belt or another suitable transport device 81.

[0199] In this case as well, it is preferable to use identically configured Article 31. The different hatchings were used to identify articles 31 forming in each instance an article combination 30, 30-1, 30-2, which articles are subsequently combined by packaging to form packaging units 70, 70-1 to 70-2.

[0200] The packaging is prepared, for example, analogously to the embodiment of FIG. 19, to the description of which reference is hereby made. In particular, the application die 41 can comprise four receptacles in each instance for four prepared packaging blanks each and separating devices disposed accordingly between the four receptacles, so that in one work cycle four packaging units 70, in particular packaging units 70-1 to 70-4, are produced simultaneously from each of the article groups 90 fed to the application module 84. Each of the four packaging units 70 comprises four items 31.

[0201] The embodiments, examples and variants of the preceding paragraphs, the claims or the following description and the figures, including their various views or respective individual features, may be used independently of one another or in any combination. Features described in connection with an embodiment are applicable for all embodiments provided the features are not incompatible.

[0202] Even if in the context of the above description of the figures reference is also generally made to schematic representations and views, this in no way means that the figure representations and their description are to be of subordinate importance with regard to the disclosure of the invention. The person skilled in the art is certainly able to derive sufficient information from the schematically and abstractly drawn representations that will make it easier for the person skilled in the art to understand the invention without being confused in any way by the drawn and possibly not exactly true-to-scale proportions of the articles and/or parts of the device or other drawn elements. The figures enable the person skilled in the art as reader to get a better understanding of the inventive idea, which has been formulated more generally and/or more abstractly in the claims and in the general part of the description, on the basis of the more specifically explained implementations of the method according to the invention and the more specifically explained mode of operation of the device according to the invention.

[0203] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it is conceivable for a person skilled in the art that modifications or changes can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0204] 1 first upper die [0205] 2 lower die [0206] 3 receiving device [0207] 5 retaining pin [0208] 6 expansion tool [0209] 7 expansion cone [0210] 8 corner region [0211] 9 freeform surface [0212] 10 folding element [0213] 11 component [0214] 12 side surface [0215] 13 access opening [0216] 14 guide receptacle [0217] 15 sub-region [0218] 16 guide element [0219] 18 lateral boundary surfaces [0220] 19 second upper die [0221] 20 packaging materials [0222] 21 packaging blank [0223] 21v prepared packaging blank [0224] 22 passage opening [0225] 23 lateral edge region [0226] 24 folding edge [0227] 25 fixing device [0228] 26 fixing tab [0229] 27 notch [0230] 30.30-1.30-2 article combination [0231] 31 article [0232] 32 can [0233] 33 lid region [0234] 34 flanged edge [0235] 35 can bodies [0236] 36 outer surface [0237] 40 preparation die [0238] 41 application die [0239] 50 push rod [0240] 51 transfer plate [0241] 52 external guide element [0242] 53 lane separator [0243] 54 central guide element [0244] 55 lane separator [0245] 60 separating device [0246] 70,70-1,70-2 packaging unit [0247] 80 packaging apparatus [0248] 81 supplying transport device [0249] 82,82-1,82-2 preparation module [0250] 83,83-1,83-2 magazine [0251] 84,84-1,84-2 application module [0252] 85 grouping module/dividing module [0253] 90 article group [0254] A distance [0255] MS ordered mass flow [0256] TR transport direction