DE202008005594U1 - Container of liquid containers - Google Patents

Abstract

An even-numbered group of e.g. six plastic bottles (20) is arranged in two transposed rows side-by-side forming a parallelogram array as seen in plan view. Each row has the same number of bottles. The group of bottles is retained as a group by a belt or ring strap.

Description

The The present invention relates to a container of liquid containers and a large container pallet with the features of the preamble of claims 1 and 12, respectively.

State of the art

The Registration deals with the packaging of filled and sealed fluid containers, in particular with filled plastic bottles. Commercially available are containers made of plastic bottles, which are usually six bottles same size and shape to a packaging unit summarized with a rectangular base and are packed with a shrink wrap. In the patent literature are Further space-saving arrangements of bottles o. Ä. Containers known, but have not prevailed in practice.

DE 2019948 A1 describes a packaging unit in which a plurality of at least seven bottles are combined. The packaging of four or six bottles is described here as unfavorable. The most favorable packaging unit here is described the unit consisting of seven bottles, with six bottles are arranged around a middle bottle around that creates a container with a regular hexagon as a base. The bottles thus arranged are held together by means of a sheet of thermoplastic material, in particular a shrink film under direct contact of the cylindrical walls of the bottles.

EP 0278723 B1 describes an assembly consisting of three rows of adjacently staggered, packaged articles, the articles being held together by adhesive between each other and between the middle group and the two-sided subgroups. The preferred embodiment shows an arrangement of a total of seven bottles or cans in three rows, the middle group comprising three bottles or cans flanked on each side by a subgroup comprising two bottles or cans to form a packaging unit with a hexagonal base ,

container Seven bottles have a small footprint. The problem, however, is that when stacking on a conventional pallet on the sides a lot of space at the edges given away which must remain free, otherwise the arranged at the edge of the pallet Overhang the containers and drop them from the pallet would.

DE 2604729 C2 shows a machine for attaching a band around a bottle assembly in which the bottles are combined in a conventional manner in parallel rows as packaging unit with a rectangular or square plan.

The Packaging of liquid container by means of shrink film To containers is relatively expensive. This is due to the fact that the shrink film in a special Process must be pre-stretched and on the other hand, the film, after being wrapped around the container in a shrink tunnel o. Ä. Be heated so that it shrinks and firmly enclosing the bottles of the container.

Farther is in this packaging the cost of materials to packaging film quite high.

Another possibility for packaging cylindrical containers is, for example, in DE 8515888 U1 described.

This Document shows a multi-pack of at least two successively arranged, preferably round containers, at the bottom by a band-like strip with each other are connected. Become more than two juxtaposed container packed together, it is advantageous if the containers be connected to each other by an adhesive.

WO 2007147606 A2 describes an arrangement of plastic bottles, which are covered by lower band by a band and are held together in the upper part by a bottle carrier.

In the illustrated as an alternative to the shrink wrap bands is shown in both documents that further fasteners for the secure grip of the bottles or containers are necessary. In case of DE 8515888 U1 For example, additional adhesives are described while in WO 2007147606 A2 an additional special bottle carrier is used.

description

The Object of the present invention is a container of To produce liquid containers that with little Packaging material forms a stable packaging unit, wherein can be dispensed with an outer packaging made of shrink film.

Another object is to provide a range of optimally packed, space-efficient containers. The objects of the invention are with the objects of the independent Achieved claims. Features of advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the respective dependent claims.

One Container according to the invention consists of several Liquid containers containing at least one Holding element are summarized. In the container at least four liquid containers in at least two rows arranged. Each of the at least two rows has the same number on liquid containers. The least two Rows are arranged side by side so that the base area of the container describes a parallelogram. The container will too referred to as diagonal packaging or diagonal packaging arrangement.

According to one preferred embodiment contains a container 2n in particular filled and closed liquid containers, where n ≥ 2. These are preferably containers with an at least partially cylindrical surface. According to a preferred embodiment the liquid containers have a round, oval, Hexagonal, octagonal or similar base on. The containers are preferably cylindrical Liquid containers, in particular bottles made of plastic.

The 2n liquid containers are replaced by at least a holding element summarized. There are at least four, preferably six, eight or twelve liquid containers combined into a container.

The Liquid containers are in at least two Rows z arranged, d. H. z ≥ 2, where each row y = 2n / z liquid container includes and y a whole Number is. The rows z of liquid containers are arranged so that the base of the arrangement describes a parallelogram with rounded corners. The all liquid container in the container comprehensive holding element can according to a preferred embodiment be a band. These Banderole can in a double-row arrangement all liquid containers touch. Are the liquid containers in contrast, arranged in more than two rows, so in the at least one middle row and in the middle of this row arranged bottles are not touched by the band.

The Banderole is preferably made of plastic and is around the liquid container strained, so that they can not slip against each other. For better fixation can be between banderole and at least one of the liquid container an adhesive can be arranged, preferably this is a releasable adhesive. As a band, for example, an adhesive tape o. Ä. Find use.

According to one Another embodiment finds as a holding means a kind Tray use on which the liquid container to be ordered. The tray has a trained as a parallelogram Base and side walls arranged perpendicular to it on. The side walls serve for lateral stabilization the liquid container. To improve the Stability of such a container with tray-like holding means may be the use of an additional, for example centrally arranged spanning banderole be advisable.

The Tray-like holding means may for example made of cardboard or a solid cardboard, but it can also be a Plastic molding o. Ä. Act.

The Container or the packaging unit can continue to carry a handle have for improved transport. According to one preferred embodiment, an adhesive tape is applied directly two liquid containers attached.

Of the Carrying handle is preferably arranged so that it has the two outer Rows centered around and at least on each a liquid container the respective row is attached. Care should be taken that the carrying handle is fixed so that the support lies in the center of gravity of the container.

at a container consisting of at least six bottles which are in At least two rows are arranged, the carrying handle is preferably each on an outer side of a centrally arranged Liquid container of each row at each outside attached lying row.

Of the Carrying handle can also be made of a non-adhesive plastic tape o. Ä. exist and with an adhesive to the liquid containers be attached.

For Advertising or information purposes or for optical reasons Both the band and the handle can be colored designed to be printed in particular.

A described packaging unit with a band as holding means has several advantages over the conventionally known six-pack. In the diagonal arrangement described here, a fixation of the liquid container by means of a tight spanning band is sufficient. Due to the large contact surfaces between the individual liquid containers, these have a good grip with each other and after they have been fixed by means of at least one band there is no danger that the diagonally arranged packaging unit will fall apart. In conventional containers with a rectangular base area fixation using only one band would be insufficient. For this reason, conventional containers are completely covered with a shrink film. In this respect results in the production of the diagonal container according to the invention a significant energy savings, since no shrink tunnel is required. In addition, no special shrink films must be used for the packaging, which are also more expensive to manufacture. This leads to the operator of such a system to a significant reduction in packaging costs.

One Another aspect of the invention relates to the arrangement of Diagonal containers on a large container pallet. A such pallet comprises at least two superimposed drum layers, wherein a package layer of at least two rows of the above-described diagonal container is formed. The arrangement of the liquid container within a bundle of diagonal containers describes a Hexagonal Close-Pack.

Between the bundle layers can be arranged an intermediate layer or intermediate layer become. The intermediate layer can be made of paper, cardboard, Plastic, foil or other material.

The at least two bundle layers and optionally an intermediate layer can for better transportation and improved stability be arranged on a plastic or wooden pallet o. Ä. Around the two bundle layers and possibly an intermediate layer around can help to protect, improve cohesion and / or as Transport protection be placed on an outer packaging. This can for example, a shrink film, in particular a shrink hood be.

A Such large-pallet range has several advantages. The arrangement of the diagonal containers on the pallet will the pallet stability increases as the containers support each other in a finished package layer. Farther can more containers and thus more liquid containers be arranged on a pallet.

For example can on a so-called Düsseldorfer pallet Ten conventional, so-called linear six-packs be arranged with a rectangular base, so that There are sixty fluid containers in total a container layer. On the same palette can instead twelve diagonal six-packs are arranged so that in a bundle layer a total of seventy-two liquid containers are located. This corresponds to an increase of twenty percent (20%) Liquid containers that transport more can be.

The Preparation of a diagonal container is done by first 2n liquid containers and divided into 2n / z rows, where z ≥ 2. Subsequently, the 2n / z rows of liquid containers positioned next to each other so that the footprint of the thereby resulting arrangement a parallelogram with rounded Corners describes. By combining with a holding means, for example by embracing with a band or by arranging the liquid container on a tray-like base with a base in the form of a parallelogram, become the liquid container pressed tightly together, so that they are braced against each other and can not slip anymore. Next can be on the diagonal Pack a carrying handle to facilitate transport through the End customers are attached.

figure description

Further Features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent The following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as a non-limiting example serves and refers to the accompanying drawings. Identical components basically have the same reference numerals on and are sometimes not explained several times.

1a shows a perspective view of a diagonal container of six bottles with a centrally arranged band;

1b shows a perspective view of a diagonal container of six bottles with a tray-like holding means;

1c shows a diagonal container from six bottles from above;

2a shows a perspective view of a diagonal container of eight bottles with a centrally arranged band;

2 B shows a perspective view of a diagonal container of eight bottles with a tray-like holding means;

2c shows a diagonal container from eight bottles from above;

3a shows a perspective view of a diagonal container of twelve bottles with a centrally arranged band;

3b shows a perspective view of a diagonal container of twelve bottles with a tray-like holding means;

3c shows a diagonal container from twelve bottles from above;

4a / b / c show the arrangement of conventional six-packs known from the prior art on a standardized Dusseldorf pallet;

5a shows a diagonal six-pack;

5b shows the arrangement of a diagonal six-pack on a standardized Dusseldorfer range;

6a shows a diagonal eight-pack and

6b shows the arrangement of a diagonal eight-pack on a standardized Düsseldorfer range.

An inventive container 10 six bottles arranged diagonally in two rows is in the figures 1a to 1c shown.

1a / b / c each show a container 10 from six bottles arranged in two rows 20 . 21 , These are preferably filled, closed plastic beverage bottles. A row of bottles consists of three juxtaposed bottles 20 , The second row is arranged so that the bottles 20 the second row each into the recess, passing through two adjacent bottles 20 the first row is formed, protrude. One edge bottle each 21 however, each row only has contact with a bottle in this diagonal arrangement 20 the other row of bottles.

The container 10 further comprises a holding means that holds the bottles together in the diagonal arrangement. 1a shows the use of a centrally located banderole 22 , The band 22 but can also be arranged in the lower or upper area. Due to the diagonal arrangement of the bottles 20 . 21 and by means of the stretched band 22 holds the container 10 firmly together, and so tightly that the bottles 20 . 21 no longer slip against each other. The band 22 In addition, by an adhesive undisturbed with at least one bottle 20 . 21 be connected.

1b shows the use of a tray-like holding means 23 , The basic form of this tray 23 is a parallelogram. For better stabilization of a container 10 With holding tray, it may be advisable to use the liquid container 20 . 21 additionally with a band 22 to span.

1c shows a container 10 from above. Here is the attachment of a carrying or grab handle 24 clarifies that serves the transport of the container, in particular the transport by the end user. The handle 24 For example, at the middle bottles 20 each row of bottles are attached with an adhesive. According to another embodiment, as a holding or carrying handle 24 used an adhesive strip, with its adhesive surface to at least two bottles 20 is attached. 2a / b / c also show a double row container 12 but with four bottles 20 . 21 are arranged side by side per row. The shifted arrangement creates a diagonal eight-pack 12 also by means of a band 22 ( 2a ) or a holding tray ( 2 B ) is held together. A preferred embodiment for attaching the handle 24 is in 2c shown. The handle 24 but can also be otherwise, especially on other bottles 20 be attached.

3a / b / c show a twelve-pack 14 , each with four bottles 20 . 21 arranged per row in three diagonal rows.

4a / b / c show an arrangement 30 of known in the art Sechserverpackungen or six-packs 8th with a rectangular floor plan (cf. 4a ) on a so-called Düsseldorfer pallet 31 (see. 4b / C). Between the individual bundle layers 32 can be a liner 40 be arranged. There can be a total of ten such six-packs 8th ie a total of sixty bottles 20 , within a container location 32 be packed.

5b shows the arrangement of a container layer 32 of diagonal six-packs 10 ( 5a ). It can twelve diagonal hexagonal container according to the invention 10 be arranged on a Düsseldorfer pallet. This corresponds to a bottle volume of seventy-two bottles per container 32 , Thus, on a pallet within a bundle 32 twenty percent more bottles 20 . 21 compared to the conventional arrangement 30 conventional containers 8th (see. 4a / b / c) are transported or stored. This causes a significant reduction in transport and storage costs.

6b shows the arrangement of a container layer 34 of diagonal eight-packs 12 (see. 6a ). It can up to ten inventive diagonal eight-pack 12 on a Dusseldorf Pallet can be arranged. This corresponds to a bottle volume of eighty bottles per container 34 , Thus, on a pallet within a bundle 34 thirty-three percent more bottles 20 . 21 be transported or stored than in a conventional arrangement 30 conventional containers 8th (see. 4a / B / c).

The The invention is not limited to the above embodiments limited. Rather, a variety of variants and Modifications conceivable that of the invention Use your thoughts and therefore also in the protection area fall.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 2019948 A1 [0003]
• EP 0278723 B1 [0004]
• - DE 2604729 C2 [0006]
• - DE 8515888 U1 [0009, 0012]
• - WO 2007147606 A2 [0011, 0012]

Claims (14)

Container made of several liquid containers ( 20 ), which are combined with at least one holding element to form a container, characterized in that at least four liquid containers ( 20 ) are arranged in at least two rows, each row having the same number of liquid containers and the base of the container describes a parallelogram. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid containers ( 20 ) at least partially have a cylindrical lateral surface. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding element is a band ( 22 ). Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the band ( 22 ) all liquid containers ( 20 ) touched. Container according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that between the band ( 22 ) and at least one liquid container ( 20 ) an adhesive for fixing the band ( 22 ) is arranged. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding element is a kind of tray a trained as a parallelogram base and is perpendicular to arranged side walls. Container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the container ( 10 . 12 . 14 ) from six, eight or twelve liquid containers ( 20 ) consists. Container according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the container ( 10 . 12 . 14 ) a carrying handle ( 24 ) having. Container according to claim 8, characterized in that the carrying handle ( 24 ) engages around the two outer rows in the middle and at least attached to a respective liquid container of the respective row. Container according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the carrying handle ( 24 ) is a plastic tape or a one-sided adhesive strip. Container according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that between carrying handle ( 24 ) and liquid containers ( 20 ) An adhesive is arranged. Large container pallet comprising at least two multi-container, stacked bundle layers ( 34 . 36 ), each bundle layer ( 34 . 36 ) of at least two juxtaposed rows of containers ( 10 . 12 . 14 ), characterized in that in a container ( 10 . 12 . 14 ) at least four liquid containers ( 20 ) are arranged in at least two rows, each row containing the same number of liquid containers ( 20 ) and that arranged on the large container pallet liquid container ( 20 ) describe a hexagonal close-pack. Large container pallet ( 34 . 36 ) according to claim 12, characterized in that between each two bundle layers ( 34 . 36 ) one intermediate layer ( 40 ) is integrated. Large container pallet ( 34 . 36 ) according to one of claims 12 to 13, characterized in that the large container pallet ( 34 . 36 ) is wrapped with another outer packaging for transport safety.