PACKAGING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR A COMPACT BATCH OF GROUPED CONTAINERS

Abstract

Provided is a packaging device for a compact batch of at least two grouped containers and methods of packaging containers in a batch using such a device. The device includes a strip, the strip having an inner face, an outer face and two longitudinal edges. The packaging device forms a belt surrounding the containers or a handle for handling the batch. At least one of the longitudinal edges is folded against one of the faces, of the strip so as to form at least one fold.

Claims

1. A device for packaging a compact batch of at least two containers grouped together, said containers being bottles or brick packs of rounded section, said device comprising: a tape, said tape having an interior face an exterior face and two longitudinal edges, wherein the device forms a belt surrounding the containers or a handle for manipulating said batch, wherein at least one of said longitudinal edges is folded against either the interior face or the exterior face to form at least one fold.

2. The packaging device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the two longitudinal edges is folded against the interior face and wherein the at least one fold covers the interior face of the tape only partly.

3. The packaging device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the two longitudinal edges is folded against the interior face forming at least two folds and wherein the at least two folds together cover the interior face of the tape only partly.

4. The packaging device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two longitudinal edges are folded such that each forms a respective fold and wherein together the respective folds cover one of the faces of the tape completely.

5. The packaging device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least two folds formed by the two longitudinal edges are symmetrical.

6. The packaging device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tape has a coating on at least one the interior face and the exterior face, and wherein the coating is paint, a glue, lacquer, or treatment.

7. A batch of containers grouped together, the batch comprising: at least two containers; and at least one packaging device, the packaging device comprising: a tape, said tape having an interior face, an exterior face and two longitudinal edges, wherein the device forms a belt surrounding the containers or a handle for manipulating said batch, wherein at least one of said longitudinal edges is folded against either the interior face or the exterior face to form at least one fold, and wherein the at least one device comprises an interior side and an exterior side.

8. The batch as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one packaging device is a belt surrounding the at least two containers of said batch configured to hold the at least two containers grouped together, wherein the interior side of the device is affixed against a peripheral wall of the at least two containers.

9. The batch as claimed in claim 8, wherein the belt is formed by overlapping its opposite ends and, and wherein the opposite are adhered by ultrasound welding.

10. The batch as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one packaging device further comprises a handle configured to enable a user to hold and to lift said batch, and wherein one of the faces of the tape of said device comprises an adhesive coating, and wherein the interior side of said device is affixed against the peripheral wall of at least two containers.

11. The batch as claimed in claim 7, wherein said batch comprises at least two packaging devices, the first device being a belt that holds the containers grouped together and the second device being a handle, the interior side of said handle coming into contact with said belt by partially or totally overlapping the belt transversely.

12. An installation for packaging at least two containers in a batch as claimed in claim 7, the installation comprising: at least one grouping module configured to group the at least two containers; at least one affixing module configured to affix at least one packaging device; and at least one folding module for folding the tape, the folding module configured to fold at least one longitudinal edge of the tape against the external face or the internal face.

13. The packaging installation as claimed in claim 12, wherein the packaging device is a belt and wherein the at least one affixing module is a strapping module.

14. The packaging installation as claimed in claim 12, wherein the packaging device comprises a handle, and wherein the packaging installation further comprises a second affixing module, the second affixing module configured to a handle.

15. A method of packaging at least two containers in a batch, comprising: grouping at least two containers together; folding at least one packaging device, wherein the folding comprises folding at least one longitudinal edge of a tape of the packaging device against an internal face or an external face of the tape to form at least one fold; and affixing at least one packaging device to the group of at least two containers.

16. The packaging method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least one packaging device is a belt, the method further comprising wrapping the batch by affixing the belt with sufficient tension to hold said at least two containers together in the batch.

17. The packaging method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the packaging device is a belt, the method further comprising placing a second packaging device on the batch, wherein the second packaging device is a handle, and wherein the handle at least partly covers the belt.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0034] The invention will be better understood from the following description based on possible embodiments explained in a non-limiting and illustrative manner with reference to the appended figures, in which:

[0035] FIG. 1 schematically represents a perspective view of a packaging device comprising a tape partially unwound from a roll, said tape having one longitudinal edge folded;

[0036] FIG. 2 represents schematically a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a detail of only one folded longitudinal edge;

[0037] FIG. 3 represents schematically a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a tape with its two longitudinal edges folded;

[0038] FIG. 4 represents schematically a view similar to FIG. 3 showing another embodiment;

[0039] FIG. 5 represents schematically a perspective view of a batch of two containers of bottle type showing in particular wrapping by strapping a single packaging device forming a single belt;

[0040] FIG. 6 represents schematically a perspective view of a batch of two containers showing in particular wrapping by strapping using upper and lower belts;

[0041] FIG. 7 represents schematically a view similar to FIG. 1, said batch being provided with a handle;

[0042] FIG. 8 represents schematically a view similar to FIG. 7, said batch being provided with a handle formed by a belt with a single longitudinal edge folded;

[0043] FIG. 9 represents schematically a perspective view of a batch of six bottle type containers showing in particular two belts, only one of which is formed by a tape with only one longitudinal edge folded;

[0044] FIG. 10 represents schematically a view similar to FIG. 9 showing in particular a handle formed by a tape with its two longitudinal edges folded;

[0045] FIG. 11 represents schematically a perspective view of a batch of four bottle type containers during affixing by strapping a single belt in the form of a tape with only an upper longitudinal edge folded.

[0046] FIG. 12 represents schematically a simplified view of one embodiment of an installation for packaging containers in batches of two containers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] In the remainder of the description elements having an identical structure or analogous functions are designated by the same reference number.

[0048] Thus the invention has firstly for object a device 1 for packaging a compact batch 100 of at least two containers 2 grouped together.

[0049] In the context of the invention the container 2 is a bottle or a brick pack. It can be made of any material, notably of plastic material, cardboard or glass. The container is preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The container 2 can therefore be rigid or semi-rigid. It is intended to contain a fluid, a liquid, powders or granules, notably of food or cosmetic type. The container 2 can have any type of shape, symmetrical or otherwise. It can have a rounded section of circular or oval shape, or a polygonal, notably rectangular or square, section. Such containers preferably have a rounded section, notably a globally circular section.

[0050] The containers 2 have a body and a bottom. The body of a container 2 comprises a peripheral wall. In a normal orientation the container 2 rests on its bottom and the main direction X is vertical. The bottom can be globally flat, petal-shaped or some other shape.

[0051] The container 2 can feature a label. Said label can be affixed to the body of the container 2 or attached to the neck of said container 2 in the form of a tag. The label can equally take the form of a sleeve that is shrinkable so as to espouse the shape of said container 2. When present, the function of the label is to deliver information on the content of the container 2 or an advertising message, a logo or a bar code.

[0052] Before handling them such finished containers undergo batch packaging.

[0053] Each batch 100 therefore comprises a plurality of containers 2 grouped together in a matrix arrangement for example, generally of globally parallelepipedal shape, often square or rectangular shape, in columns and rows.

[0054] The packaged containers 2 can also be arranged in a quincunx. The quincunx batch can have various advantages. The quincunx arrangement notably offers more points of contact between the grouped containers. Furthermore, the additional friction between the containers increases the strength of the batch 100. The quincunx arrangement also makes it possible to optimize the space between the containers and therefore represents an improvement in terms of storage capacity. It is then possible to stack more batches 100 on a pallet.

[0055] Furthermore, the term compact corresponds to a batch 100 in which the containers 2 are close together and positioned side by side, in contact with one another when they are grouped together in one of the configurations described. Once the containers 2 have been grouped and packaged, that is to say wrapped, they are rigidly fastened together, forming a batch 100. The containers 2 of such a batch 100 cannot be dissociated without intentionally dismantling said batch 100 to extract one or more containers 2 therefrom.

[0056] In the context of the invention, a batch 100 comprises at least one packaging device 1 as described hereinafter.

[0057] In accordance with the invention, the packaging device 1 comprises a tape 3. The tape 3 is preferably a paper tape 3, that is to say consists mainly or for the most part of cellulose fibers. In this regard, the paper used is part of the specific field of packaging containers 2 and is limited to packaging paper. The term paperexcludes cardboard, corrugated cardboard and flat cardboard.

[0058] Furthermore, such paper is based on cellulose fibers. By way of example, the paper used in the invention may be kraft paper or a derivative of kraft paper. In accordance with one possible additional feature, because of its production method the tape 3 of the packaging device 1 is made of paper having an increased strength compared to a standard paper and has an ultimate tensile strength appropriate to its use. The strength or the extensibility of the paper are features that can be improved during the production process, for example by the addition of a weave or specific fibers. The fibers can also be oriented in the longitudinal or the transverse direction relative to the machine direction, in the sense of the greatest length of the paper tape obtained in this way, to improve the resistance to elongation before rupture in the sense of the orientation.

[0059] To reduce the environmental impact of said packaging device 1 the tape 3 of the packaging device 1 preferably consists for the most part of biodegradable and/or recyclable components.

[0060] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the tape 3 of the packaging device 1 has an interior face 300, an exterior face 301 and two longitudinal edges 302.

[0061] According to the invention, and as can be seen in FIG. 1, at least one longitudinal edge 302 of the tape 3 is folded against the interior face 300 or the exterior face 301 in such a manner as to form at least one fold 4. The interior face 300 of the tape 3 is the face that is located on the side of the peripheral wall of the grouped containers 2 when the packaging device 1 is affixed against the peripheral wall of the containers 2. The interior face 300 can be either in direct contact with said peripheral wall or in indirect contact therewith depending on the width of the fold formed by folding the longitudinal edges 302. In other words, in embodiments in which at least one fold 4 does not cover the interior face 300 completely a part of the interior face 300 remains visible and is affixed directly against the peripheral wall of a container 2.

[0062] In an analogous manner, in embodiments in which the at least one fold 4 is formed on the exterior face 301, a part of the interior face 300 is in direct contact with the peripheral wall of the containers 2.

[0063] In embodiments in which a part of, or even the totality of, the interior face 300 is covered by at least one fold 4, said part is then in indirect contact with the peripheral wall of the containers 2, said at least one fold 4 then being located between the non-visible part of the interior face 300 and the peripheral part.

[0064] The exterior face 301 is the face opposite the interior face 300.

[0065] The packaging device 1 has an interior side and an exterior side.

[0066] In an embodiment in which at least one longitudinal edge 302 is folded against the interior face 300 the part of said interior face 300 that is not covered and the at least one fold 4 together form the interior side of the packaging device 1, said interior side being affixed against the peripheral wall of the containers 2 when said device 1 comes up against said containers 2.

[0067] The interior side of the packaging device 1 is therefore the side that is affixed against the peripheral wall of the containers 2. The interior side of the device 1 is formed by the part that is not covered, that is to say is visible, of the interior face 300 of the tape 3 and in some embodiments by at least one fold 4.

[0068] The exterior side of the packaging device 1 is the visible side of said device 1 when it is affixed against the peripheral wall of the containers 2.

[0069] The exterior side of the packaging device 1 is therefore formed by the part that is not covered and therefore visible of the exterior face 301 of the tape 3 and in some embodiments by at least one fold 4. In an embodiment in which at least one longitudinal edge 302 is folded against the exterior face 301 the part of said exterior face 301 that is not covered and the at least one fold 4 together form the exterior face of the packaging device 1, said exterior face being the visible side of said device 1 when it comes up against the containers 2.

[0070] A longitudinal edge 302 corresponds to the edge of the tape 3.

[0071] The fold 4 enables the strength of the tape 3 and therefore of the packaging device 1 to be reinforced. Indeed, it is indispensable to guarantee the resistance to tearing of a packaging device 1, in particular when handling a batch 100. It can also be necessary to ensure that the packaging device 1 remains reliable over time, notably after long times in storage.

[0072] It has been found that problems of the strength of a packaging device 1 can appear, in particular when it is made of paper. In order to remedy this problem of resistance to tearing at least one longitudinal edge 302 of the tape 3 is folded against the interior face 300 or the exterior face 301 of said tape 3.

[0073] At least one longitudinal edge 302 of the tape 3 is preferably folded against the interior face 300 of the tape 3.

[0074] The fold 4 formed by the longitudinal edge 302 can cover the interior face 300 of the tape 3 partly or totally. The fold 4 formed by the longitudinal edge 302 preferably covers the interior face 300 of the tape 3 only partly.

[0075] As can be seen in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the longitudinal edge 302 can be folded to form a fold 4 of variable width. The width 40 of a fold 4 can be larger or smaller. In particular, the width 40 of a fold 4 can be less than the width of the packaging device 1, that is to say that said width 40 is such that a part of the interior face 300 or the exterior face 301 remains visible, that is to say is not masked by the at least one fold 4. The width 40 of a fold 4 can equally be equal to the width of a packaging device 1, that is to say that said width 40 of a fold 4 is such that the interior face 300 or the exterior face 301 is then entirely masked by said fold 4.

[0076] Folding at least one longitudinal edge 302 of the tape 3 enables the strength of the packaging device 1 to be considerably increased.

[0077] In some embodiments, and as can be seen in FIG. 3 or 4, each of the two longitudinal edges 302 of the tape 3 is folded against the interior face 300. In this case, the resistance to tearing of the packaging device 1 being greatly increased, it is equally possible to reduce the thickness of the tape 3. Indeed, it is not necessary to increase the quantity of raw material to obtain sufficient mechanical strength. There can equally be envisaged producing batches 100 with containers 2 of large capacity or with a number of containers 2 in a batch 100 greater than four, or even greater than six. Furthermore, forming the folds 4 makes it possible to limit the risk of cuts for a user, notably when the packaging device 1 takes the form of a handle 11.

[0078] In embodiments in which each of the longitudinal edges 302 of the tape 3 of a packaging device 1 is folded against one of the faces 300, 301 said longitudinal edges 302 can be partly folded. In other words, the folds 4 formed by folding the two longitudinal edges 302 then together cover only partly the width of one of the faces 300, 301 of the tape 3.

[0079] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the two longitudinal edges 302 are folded against the interior face 300 of the tape 3. A part of said interior face 300 is not masked by said folds 4 formed in this way. In this embodiment, the sum of the widths 40 of the two folds 4 is less than the width of the packaging device 1.

[0080] Thus the width 40 of the folds 4 formed by folding the longitudinal edges 302 can be adapted according to what is required.

[0081] In accordance with another variant the at least one fold 4 formed by folding at least one longitudinal edge 302 completely masks the interior face 300 of the tape 3. In this case the interior side of the packaging device 1 is formed by folding at least one longitudinal edge 302 onto the interior face 300 of the tape 3.

[0082] In a variant that is not represented the at least one fold 4 formed by folding at least one longitudinal edge 302 completely masks the exterior face 301 of the tape 3. In this case, the exterior side of the packaging device 1 is formed by folding at least one longitudinal edge 302 over the exterior face 301 of the tape 3.

[0083] In accordance with one possible additional feature depicted in FIG. 4 the folds 4 of the tape 3 of the packaging device 1 formed by the two longitudinal edges 302 of said tape 3 are symmetrical. In other words, each of the folds 4 has the same width 40.

[0084] In some embodiments, the tape 3 has a coating 9 of paint, glue, lacquer or treatment type over all or part of its interior face 300 and/or its exterior face 301. In other words, the coating 9 can therefore cover the two faces 300, 301 of the tape 3 or only one of its faces.

[0085] This coating 9 may be a purely esthetic coating, of varnish or lacquer type, for example, to enhance the visual rendition of the product, or a technical coating, for example, to facilitate printing information, messages, diagrams, signs, etc.

[0086] In particular, in one embodiment the coating 9 is a technical coating, notably an adhesive coating or a heat-seal coating in order to favor the adhesion of the two opposite ends of the tapes 3 of a packaging device 1 to one another. Such a coating 9 is for example activated by ultrasound or heat. This embodiment advantageously makes it possible to activate these properties in a localized manner. In other words, before activation the coating 9 is inactive, that is to say unable to exercise an adhesive role, and after activation has adhesive properties.

[0087] In accordance with another variant the coating 9 covers all of the interior face 300 or the exterior face 301 of the tape 3 of a packaging device 1 and is activated locally, for example by ultrasound, to form one or more adhesive zones. In this embodiment said coating 9 can be activated in a targeted manner at the level of the zone of contact between the tape 3 and the peripheral wall of one or more containers 2.

[0088] In accordance with other additional features, the coating 9 may be intended to increase the coefficient of friction or to improve the resistance to moisture of the tape 3 of a packaging device 1, notably when said tape 3 is made of paper.

[0089] In some embodiments the coating 9 is an adhesive coating 9 on one of the faces 300, 301 of the tape 3 of a packaging device 1 in order to facilitate retention of the fold 4 formed by a longitudinal edge 302. Indeed, in such a case the folded portion of the longitudinal edge 302 will come to be glued to one of the faces 300, 301 of the tape 3. The fold 4 formed in this way will therefore remain correctly in position and will not lift off. Furthermore, in embodiments in which the at least one fold 4 covers only partly the interior face 300 or the exterior face 301, the tape 3 has an adhesive portion not covered by said at least one fold 4 at the level of said face 300, 301. Affixing the packaging device 1 against the containers 2 is then simplified.

[0090] The coating 9 can cover all of one of the two faces 300, 301 or be produced in a discontinuous manner or partly cover the width or the length of one of the two faces 300, 301 of the tape 3 of a packaging device 1, for example at only one of the ends of said tape 3.

[0091] In some embodiments the packaging device 1 further comprises an insert 8. Said insert 8 can be any shape, preferably a rectangular shape with its length extending along the length of the tape 3. The insert 8 is mounted on one of the faces 300, 301 of the tape 3, preferably on the face 300, 301 that includes at least one fold 4. In this case the insert 8 can be at least in part covered by at least one longitudinal edge 302, preferably by the two longitudinal edges 302, of the tape 3. This further increases the strength of the packaging device 1.

[0092] The insert 8 is preferably made of paper or cardboard.

[0093] In accordance with a variant, the insert 8 is mounted by gluing it onto the face 300, 301 including the fold(s) 4. The insert 8 is preferably glued to the interior face 300 of the tape 3.

[0094] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which an insert 8 is glued to the interior face 300 of a tape 3, each of the two longitudinal edges 302 coming to cover said insert 8 in part.

[0095] In accordance with another variant that may be combined with any other embodiment the insert 8 is not covered by a longitudinal edge 302 of the tape 3. In other words the at least one fold 4 formed by folding a longitudinal edge 302 does not cover the insert 8. Said at least one fold 4 can be flush with said insert 8 or not.

[0096] In the context of the invention, the packaging device 1 is a packaging device of secondary packaging type, that is to say is applied to products of primary type, fastened together in the form of a batch with the aid of secondary packaging.

[0097] Sales packaging or primary packaging is packaging designed to constitute a sales unit at the point of sale for the end user or the consumer.

[0098] Grouped packaging or secondary packaging is packaging designed in such a manner as to constitute at the point of sale a group of a certain number of sales units, whether to be sold as such to the end user or to the consumer or to serve only to decorate the display unit at the point of sale; it can be removed from the product without modifying the characteristics thereof.

[0099] In some embodiments the packaging device 1 is a belt 10 that comes to surround at least two containers 2 of a batch 100 in such a manner as to hold them grouped together. The belt 10 is affixed against the peripheral wall of the containers 2 and wraps the group of said containers 2 to form a compact batch 100. Thus the containers 2 are held together by a packaging device 1 that consists of a belt 10.

[0100] To this end, the belt 10 surrounds the containers 2 grouped in the form of a matrix. Said belt 10 is affixed round the grouped containers 2 in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the main direction X, that is to say orthogonally to the height H of the container 2.

[0101] In these embodiments, the tape 3 of the device 1 comprises at least one fold 4 formed by a longitudinal edge 302 and takes the form of a belt 10. The batch 100 obtained is strong and reliable, which is to say that it will not be dislocated, because of the presence of at least one fold 4 formed along the longitudinal edge 302, said longitudinal edge 302 being folded against one of the faces 300, 301 of the tape 3 of the packaging device 1.

[0102] As can be seen in FIG. 8, in some embodiments the packaging device 1 is a handle 11, which is to say that the tape 3 forms a holding means. The handle 11 is for lifting and moving a batch 100.

[0103] It is particularly advantageous for a batch 100 to comprise a packaging device 1 in the form of a handle 11 in the form of a tape 3 comprising at least one fold 4. Indeed, it is not rare for the holding means of a batch 100 to tear when said batch 100 is moved, all the more so when said holding means is made of paper. The fact that the handle 11 is reinforced by at least one fold 4 of the tape 3 of the packaging device 1 forming said handle 11 makes it possible to improve the strength of a batch 100. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the handle 11 is formed by a packaging device 1 comprising a tape 3 and an insert 8, said tape 3 comprising two folds 4.

[0104] The invention further concerns a batch 100 comprising at least two containers 2 grouped together and at least one packaging device 1 according to the invention.

[0105] In some embodiments the batch 100 comprises a packaging device 1 in the form of a belt 10. Of course, the batch 100 can comprise other packaging means. Nevertheless, in preferred embodiments the batch 100 does not comprise additional packaging means other than one or more packaging devices 1 according to the invention.

[0106] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which a batch 100 comprises two containers 2 of height H held together by a packaging device 1 in the form of a belt 10. In this embodiment, the tape 3 forming the belt 10 comprises two folds 4, each of the longitudinal edges 302 being folded against the interior face 300 of said tape 3 and said folds 4 partially covering said interior face 300. The interior side of the packaging device 1 formed by the two folds 4 and by the part of the interior face 300 that is not covered by the tape 3 is affixed against the peripheral wall of the containers 2 in such a manner as to form a batch 100.

[0107] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment similar to the embodiment that can be seen in FIG. 5. In this embodiment a batch 100 of four containers 2 is formed by a packaging device 1 in the form of a belt 10. The tape 3 of the packaging device 1 comprises a single fold 4 formed by folding the upper longitudinal edge 302 of said tape 3.

[0108] In accordance with one possible additional feature, when the batch 100 comprises a single belt 10 said belt 10 formed by the tape 3 has a minimum height of one eighth of the height H of each of the containers 2 in the main direction X. Said paper belt 10 preferably has a minimum height of one quarter of the height H of each of the containers 2 in the main direction X.

[0109] In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIG. 6, the batch 100 comprises two packaging devices 1 in the form of two belts 10. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the batch 100 is produced by strapping two packaging devices 1 forming upper and lower belts 10, the tapes 3 of said devices 1 having only one folded longitudinal edge 302. In particular, the upper belt 10 is formed of a first tape 3 with its upper longitudinal edge 302 folded and the lower belt 10 is formed of a second tape 3 with its lower longitudinal edge 302 folded.

[0110] In embodiments in which the batch 100 comprises more than one belt 10 the total cumulative height of the belts 10 represents at least one quarter of the height H of the containers 2. The cumulative height of said belts 10 preferably represents at most two thirds of the height of each of the containers 2 in the main direction X. The height considered of a container 2 is its height H measured between the top of the stopper and the surface in contact with the bottom of said container 2. The height H of a container 2 and the height of a belt 10 are measured in the main direction X.

[0111] The advantage resulting from a minimum height of this kind is that the tension exerted on the containers 2 is homogeneously distributed over the peripheral wall of the containers 2. This prevents excessive deformation of the body of the containers 2.

[0112] It is clear that, depending on the type of containers 2, their height and the total weight of the batch 100, it may be necessary, to guarantee optimum retention of the containers 2 grouped together, to use one or more packaging devices 1 in the form of a belt 10, in particular when said belt 10 consists of a paper tape 3. Indeed, for containers 2 of great height and/or for batches 100 of at least six containers, the tension exerted on the batch 100 when lifting it causes spreading apart of the containers at the level of the base of said batch 100. Using at least one second belt 10 then makes it possible to guarantee the compactness and the solidity of said batch 100.

[0113] In accordance with one possible additional feature, the belt 10 is closed by overlapping its opposite ends 101 and 102, the adhesion between said ends being for example produced by means of ultrasound welding.

[0114] Also, depending on the type of coating 9 deposited on one of the faces 300, 301 of a tape 3 of a packaging device 1, appropriate adhesion will be produced between the ends 101 and 102 of said tape 3. For example, the adhesion can equally be produced by gluing, by thermal activation (heat sealing), staples, or by any other means. Of course, the invention is not limited to one particular embodiment of the adhesion between the two ends 101 and 102 of a tape 3.

[0115] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7 the batch 100 comprises a packaging device 1 in the form of a belt 10 and a packaging means of the holding means type. The belt 10 comprises two folds 4 that partly cover the tape 3 of the packaging device 1.

[0116] In some embodiments, and as can be seen in FIG. 8, the batch 100 comprises at least two packaging devices 1, at least one first packaging device 1 being a belt 10 that holds the containers 2 grouped together and a second packaging device 1 being a handle 11. In these embodiments the interior side of said handle 11 preferably comes into contact with said belt 10 in a transverse manner, as a result of partial or total overlapping. In other words, the handle 11 can come to cover the belt 10 over a part of its height, all its height, or extend beyond the height of said belt 10.

[0117] In a normal orientation, the handle 11 makes it possible to take hold of and to lift the batch 100 from the top of said batch.

[0118] In embodiments in which the batch 100 comprises a packaging device 1 in the form of a handle 11 said handle 11 can therefore be fixed to said batch 100 by partial or total transversely overlapping either a second packaging device 1 in the form of a belt 10 or a packaging means of the strap type. In accordance with another embodiment, the handle 11, and in particular each of its ends, may be sandwiched between a belt 10 and the peripheral wall of a container 2.

[0119] In accordance with another possible feature, the handle 11 is fixed by partially overlapping at least one belt 10 and a portion of the peripheral wall of two containers 2. In such a configuration, as can be seen in FIG. 8, the handle 11 is extended beyond the at least one belt 10 and is fixed to the portion of the peripheral wall of the container 2 located below said belt 10 in the main direction X.

[0120] The handle 11 can optionally also be fixed to the portion of the peripheral wall located above said tape 2 in the main direction X. This embodiment is particularly advantageous because it allows co-operation between the handle 11 and the belt 10, thus ensuring the integrity of the batch 100. On lifting said batch 100 the handle 11 will contribute to retaining the belt 10 in position. In this embodiment, the handle 11 is fixed, for example by means of a double-sided adhesive tape or by spots of glue, to a part of the peripheral wall of at least two containers 2 in addition to being fixed to the at least one belt 10.

[0121] Furthermore, the handle 11 may be produced by means of a tape 3 of a packaging device 1, said tape 3 being provided with an adhesive coating 9 on its interior face 300 and/or on its exterior face 301. The adhesive coating 9 can advantageously both enable optimum retention of the at least one fold 4 formed by a longitudinal edge 302 of the tape 3 and enable a fixed placing of the handle 11 against the containers 2. Indeed, in embodiments in which at least one longitudinal edge 302 is folded against the interior face 300 and the at least one fold 4 has a width 40 less than the width of the packaging device 1 said face 300 retains a portion that is not masked, that is adhesive because of the coating 9, and is therefore glued against the containers 2 forming the batch 100.

[0122] In accordance with one possible variant the tape 3 comprises a coating 9 on its exterior face 301. In this case, in embodiments in which the at least one fold 4 is formed on the interior face 300 said at least one fold 4 then has an adhesive coating 9 that enables fixed placing of the packaging device 1. It is to be understood that a batch 100 can comprise a packaging device 1 in the form of a handle 11 as well as some other packaging means. For example, a batch 100 of four containers 2 may comprise a packaging means of plastic strap type or paper strap type coming to wrap the group of containers 2 and a packaging device 1 in the form of a handle 11, said handle 11 coming to cover said strap at least partly. In this case the handle 11 is strengthened by the presence of at least one fold 4, whereas the strap does not comprise any fold 4.

[0123] Another possible embodiment is depicted in FIG. 9 in which a batch 100 comprises a packaging device 1 in the form of a belt 10 and an additional packaging means in the form of a strap.

[0124] Another possible embodiment is depicted in FIG. 10 in which a batch 100 comprises a first packaging device 1 in the form of a belt 10, a second packaging device 1 in the form of a handle 11 and an additional packaging means in the form of a strap.

[0125] In some embodiments the batch 100 comprises: [0126] at least four containers 2, [0127] at least one sub-batch comprising at least two of said containers 2 grouped and held together, and [0128] at least one packaging device 1.

[0129] The packaging device 1 employed to form the batch 100 can be a belt 10 and contribute to holding grouped together containers 2 forming one or more sub-batches 110 and/or securing the batch 100 by surrounding at least two sub-batches 110.

[0130] In accordance with the invention, the batch 100 can indeed be divided into at least one sub-batch. A sub-batch comprises at least two containers 2 held together. In particular, a sub-batch comprises a sub-group of at least two containers 2 and a packaging means, such as a strap and/or a packaging device 1 in accordance with the invention.

[0131] In accordance with additional features each sub-batch can gather together at most four containers 2. Each sub-batch can extend transversely, that is to say along columns of the batch 100, or longitudinally, that is to say along rows of said batch. The sub-batch or sub-batches are advantageously oriented as a function of the number of containers 2 forming the batch 100 in order to optimize its solidity.

[0132] In the context of handling or transporting the batch 100 formed in this way the sub-batch or sub-batches minimize the friction between and the movement of the containers 2, in particular the containers 2 located at the center of said batch 100. It is clear that depending on the number of containers 2 it is not always necessary to surround all the containers 2 in the form of a sub-batch before strapping a batch 100. In other words, in some embodiments some individual containers 2 are free before being wrapped to form a batch 100.

[0133] The packaging device 1 of such a batch 100 can equally be a handle 11, said handle 11 coming into contact with either a packaging device 1 in the form of a belt 10 or some other packaging means.

[0134] The invention further concerns a method of using a packaging device 1 as described above.

[0135] The method comprises at least one step of grouping at least two containers 2.

[0136] The method is characterized in that: [0137] at least one packaging device 1 is affixed to the grouped containers 2, and [0138] before the step of affixing at least one packaging device 1, at least one step of folding at least one longitudinal edge 302 of the tape 3 of said device 1 against one of the faces 300, 301 of said tape 3 to form at least one fold 4.

[0139] In some embodiments the step of affixing a packaging device 1 corresponds to a step of strapping the batch 100, said step amounting to affixing at least one packaging device 1 in the form of a belt 10 around the group of containers 2 with sufficient tension to hold said at least two containers 2 together in a batch 100.

[0140] In some embodiments the step of affixing a packaging device 1 is a step of placing on the batch 100 at least one packaging device 1 in the form of a handle 11, said handle 11 coming partly to cover another packaging device 1, in this case in the form of a belt 10, or another packaging means of strap type.

[0141] In some embodiments the step of affixing a packaging device 1 in the form of a handle 11 is carried out after grouping at least two containers 2 but before the strapping step.

[0142] In accordance with one possible additional feature in such a packaging method the containers 2 can be assembled into one or more sub-batches 101.

[0143] In such an embodiment: [0144] at least two containers 2 are grouped in at least one sub-batch; [0145] each sub-batch is surrounded with a packaging means or with a packaging device 1 in the form of a belt 10; [0146] the sub-batch or sub-batches of the batch 100 is or are strapped using a packaging means or a packaging device 1 in the form of a belt 10, [0147] at least one of the two steps of surrounding a sub-batch and strapping a batch 100 employs a packaging device 1 in accordance with the invention.

[0148] In accordance with one possible additional feature, at least one container 2 does not form part of a sub-batch. In other words, some containers 2 can be grouped in two sub-batches while other containers 2 remain free before being wrapped with the sub-batch or sub-batches to form a batch 100.

[0149] In some embodiments, before wrapping by strapping the batch 100, the sub-batch or sub-batches can be put together with a transverse and/or longitudinal orientation relative to the greatest dimension of the matrix that the batch 100 forms in order to optimize the solidity of the batch 100. In other words, it is possible to group in one or more sub-batches containers 2 forming all or part of a row or forming all or part of a column in the batch 100. A sub-batch is made up of at most four containers 2, preferably two containers 2. Having multiple configurations can equally be envisaged, with an arrangement of sub-batches distributed transversely and longitudinally relative to the batch 100. A configuration of a batch 100 comprising one or more sub-batches disposed diagonally relative to the batch 100 is equally possible.

[0150] The invention further concerns an installation 12 for packaging at least two containers 2 using the method of the invention, said installation therefore producing batches 100 of which various possible variants are described here.

[0151] The batch packaging installation 12 is characterized in that it uses at least one packaging device 1, in particular at least one device as described here.

[0152] As can be seen in FIG. 12, the packaging installation 12 notably comprises a module 5 for grouping at least two containers 2 and at least one module 6 for affixing at least one packaging device 1. The affixing module 6 comprises means for processing a roll 30 of material, notably of paper, to form the tape 3 of the packaging device 1 in accordance with the invention. This affixing module can preferably comprise a stretch-wrapping machine and/or a machine for affixing handles.

[0153] The installation 12 comprises at least one module 7 for folding a packaging device 1 that folds at least one longitudinal edge 302 of the tape 3 of said device 1 against one of the faces 300, 301 of said tape 3. Thus the folding module 7 can be configured to fold only one longitudinal edge 302 of a tape 3 of a packaging device 1 or to fold the two longitudinal edges 302 of said tape 3. It is equally possible to configure the folding module 7 so as to be able to vary the width 40 of a fold 4 as a function of the requirements of the user.

[0154] The folding module 7 is situated upstream of the affixing module 6. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the folding module 7 can feed a plurality of modules 6 for affixing the packaging device 1.

[0155] In some embodiments the installation 12 comprises a grouping module for creating sub-batches 110. The grouping module produces sub-groups of containers 2. Thus the installation 12 comprises a grouping module for producing sub-groups of containers 2 and a first module 6 for affixing a packaging device 1. The installation 12 then also comprises a grouping module 5 for grouping together two sub-batches 110 and possibly a second module 6 for affixing a packaging device 1. The grouping module 5 can equally group together one or more sub-batches 101 with one or more so-called free containers 2. For example, the grouping module 5 can produce a batch 100 by grouping four free containers 2 and a sub-batch, said sub-batch preferably being situated between two columns consisting of two free containers 2.

[0156] In accordance with one possible feature, as can be seen in FIG. 12, when the packaging device 1 is a belt 10 the corresponding affixing module 6 is a strapping module 60.

[0157] In some embodiments the packaging installation 12 further comprises a module for closing said belt 10 around the batch 100 by joining its opposite ends 101, 102 to close it on itself. This module can be a module for activation of an adhesive by water or by heat. In accordance with an additional feature, this module is an ultrasound welding module.

[0158] In accordance with one possible feature the module for fastening the tape is a module separate from the at least one affixing module 6 and in particular from the strapping module 60.

[0159] In accordance with one possible variant that can be seen in FIG. 12, when the packaging device 1 is a handle 11 the affixing module 6 is a module 61 for placing a handle 11.

[0160] In some embodiments, the installation 12 comprises one or more grouping module 5 and one or more modules 6 for affixing a packaging device 1.

[0161] In accordance with one possible variant, the affixing module 6 forms both a strapping module 60 and a placing module 61. In other words, the affixing module 6 is capable of placing around the batch 100 a device 1 in the form of a belt 10 and a device 1 in the form of a handle 11.

[0162] Such a packaging device 1 has an excellent environmental impact and makes it possible to limit the quantity of waste generated through the presence of at least one fold 4 that makes it possible to reinforce the strength properties of said device 1 and therefore to reduce waste or to avoid having recourse to materials that are harmful to the environment.

[0163] Although the description hereinabove is based on particular embodiments, it is in no way limiting on the scope of the invention and modifications may be made, notably by substitution of technical equivalents or by differently combining some or all of the features expanded on hereinabove.