Holder for packaged products and method for holding together packaged products

Abstract

Holder ( 1 ) for packaged products, comprising an elongate profiled beam, which beam comprises a first, substantially continuous longitudinal recess ( 3 ) in which, as seen in cross-section, an outer end ( 7 ) of at least one packaging can be fixed in form-retaining or form-fitting manner, in addition to connecting means such as a substantially continuous longitudinal protruding part ( 4 ) and a second substantially continuous longitudinal recess ( 2 ), which protruding part ( 4 ) can, as seen in cross-section, be connected in form-retaining or form-fitting manner in the second longitudinal recess ( 2 ) of another substantially identical holder ( 1 ).

1 . Holder ( 1 ) for packaged products, comprising an elongate profiled beam, which beam comprises a first, substantially continuous longitudinal recess ( 3 ) in which, as seen in cross-section, an outer end ( 7 ) of at least one packaging ( 6 ) can be fixed in form-retaining or form-fitting manner, in addition to connecting means ( 2 ,  4 ) with which two substantially identical, mutually parallel holders ( 1 ) can be connected against each other.  
     
     
         2 . Holder ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting means ( 2 ,  4 ) comprise a substantially longitudinal protruding part ( 4 ) and a second substantially continuous longitudinal recess ( 2 ), which protruding part ( 4 ) can, as seen in cross-section, be connected in form-retaining or form-fitting manner in the second longitudinal recess ( 2 ) of another substantially identical holder ( 1 ).  
     
     
         3 . Holder as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the protruding part ( 4 ) and the second recess ( 2 ) extend on two opposite sides of the holder ( 1 ).  
     
     
         4 . Holder as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first recess ( 3 ) extends on another side of the holder, wherein the opening of the first recess ( 3 ) points substantially in the same direction as or in opposite direction to the opening of the second recess ( 2 ).  
     
     
         5 . Holder as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the protruding part ( 4 ) and the second recess ( 2 ) are formed such that the protruding part ( 4 ) of a first holder ( 1 ) can slide in longitudinal direction into the second recess ( 2 ) of a second holder ( 1 ).  
     
     
         6 . Holder as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said holder comprises clamping means for clamping the outer end ( 17 ) of at least one packaging ( 6 ) in the recess ( 3 ).  
     
     
         7 . Method for holding together packaged products for transport, storage or for displaying the products at a retail outlet, wherein first outer ends ( 7 ) of substantially identical packagings ( 6 ) of a product are fixed in a first holder ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , and wherein second outer ends ( 7 ) of the packagings ( 6 ) are fixed in a second holder ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         8 . Method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein at least two (pairs of) holders ( 1 ) are connected to each other.  
     
     
         9 . Method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the holders ( 1 ) are connected to each other such that the first recesses ( 3 ) are situated on sides facing in the same direction.  
     
     
         10 . Method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the holders ( 1 ) are connected to each other such that the holders ( 1 ) with the packagings ( 6 ) fixed therein substantially form a stacked structure.  
     
     
         11 . Method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the dimensions of the holders ( 1 ) are such that in the stacked structure the products are situated at a mutual distance.  
     
     
         12 . Method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the stacked structure is placed in a transporting device, a storage device or a display device.  
     
     
         13 . Method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the holders ( 1 ) connected to each other in a stacked structure are removed simultaneously in substantially one movement, such that after removal of the holders ( 1 ) the products remain lying in a compact stacked formation.  
     
     
         14 . Method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the holders ( 1 ) are connected to each other such that the first recesses ( 3 ) are situated on sides facing in opposite directions.  
     
     
         15 . Method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the holders ( 1 ) are mutually connected in twos such that the holders ( 1 ) with the packagings ( 6 ) fixed therein substantially form a flat structure.  
     
     
         16 . Method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the flat structure is suspended in a transporting device, a storage device or a display device.  
     
     
         17 . Method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the individual packagings ( 6 ) are printed and placed in the holders ( 1 ) such that they together form an image or characters.  
     
     
         18 . Method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the packagings ( 6 ) which are fixed to a holder ( 1 ) contain different types of product.  
     
     
         19 . Method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the packaged products are removed substantially one by one from the holder ( 1 ) by means of mechanical removal means.  
     
     
         20 . Method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the outer end ( 7 ) of at least one packaging ( 6 ) is clamped in the recess ( 3 ).