Packing Band and Packaging for Bottles and the Like, and Process for Manufacturing Thereof

Abstract

A coupling band ( 3 ) for containers ( 2 ) comprises a substantially tubular strip ( 4 ) disposed around at least two containers ( 2 ) so as to keep them mutually coupled; the strip ( 4 ) comprises at least one first portion ( 5 ) to be steadily coupled to the outer surf ace ( 2 a ) of a respective container ( 2 ), and at least one second portion (b) to be removably interposed between said containers ( 2 ).

1 . A coupling band for containers, comprising a substantially tubular strip disposed around at least two containers for maintaining said containers mutually coupled, said containers having outer surfaces, wherein said strip comprises at least one first portion steadily coupled to the outer surface of a respective container, and at least one second portion removably interposed between said at least two containers. 
     
     
         2 . The band according to  claim 1 , wherein said strip comprises a first portion associable with each container, and each second portion being interposed between two first portions and dissociable from said first portions for defining an uncoupled condition of the containers. 
     
     
         3 . The band according to  claim 2 , wherein said band further comprises a series of separation lines interposed between respective first and second portions. 
     
     
         4 . The band according to  claim 3 , wherein each separation line comprises a series of consecutive holes to enable manual tearing along said line and removal of the second portions. 
     
     
         5 . The band according to  claim 1 , wherein each first portion comprises an inner wall extending over a portion of the outer surface of the respective container, and wherein each inner wall comprises at least one glueing region to be irremovably associated with said respective container. 
     
     
         6 . The band according to  claim 5 , wherein each first portion further comprises an outer wall in sight, opposite to the inner wall and having a graphic design defining a label of the container. 
     
     
         7 . The band according to  claim 6 , wherein said tubular strip comprises plastic material. 
     
     
         8 . The band according to  claim 7 , wherein the inner wall of the first portion of the strip comprises a glue which can be activated thermally at a temperature substantially equal to the heat-shrinking temperature of the plastic material of the tubular strip. 
     
     
         9 . A multiple package comprising a plurality of mutually adjacent containers maintained relative to each other utilizing a band according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . The multiple package according to  claim 9 , wherein the containers comprise bottles having irregularly profiled bodies. 
     
     
         11 . A process for forming a multiple package of containers, comprising the steps of:
 arranging a plurality of containers close to each other so as to define an assembly;   providing a coupling band defined by a tubular strip; and   winding the tubular strip around said assembly so as to maintain the containers mutually coupled;   
       wherein said step of providing the band comprises the sub-step of defining first portions that can be irremovably coupled to the containers so as to constitute respective labels for the containers. 
     
     
         12 . The process according to  claim 11 , wherein said sub-step of defining first portions that can be irremovably coupled to the containers is carried out by printing a graphic design on an outer wall in sight of the first portions, which graphic design is representative of the contents and trademark of the containers. 
     
     
         13 . The process according to  claim 11 , wherein said sub-step of defining first portions that can be irremovably coupled to the containers is carried out by distributing an adhesive material on an inner wall of each first portion, and said inner wall of each first portion being in abutment against an outer surface of a respective container for being glued thereto. 
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein the tubular strip comprises a film made of heat-shrinkable plastic material, and wherein the adhesive material applied to the inner wall of each first portion can be activated thermally at a temperature within the temperature range where heat shrinking of the tubular strip occurs. 
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive material is applied to the inner wall of the portions like an ink printed on the strip. 
     
     
         16 . The process according to  claim 15 , wherein at least one ink layer is printed on the inner wall of the first portions, and wherein the adhesive material is applied to said at least one ink layer. 
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 11 , wherein the tubular strip is created by using a film made of a heat-shrinkable plastic material chosen from the group consisting of: PET, PVC, PP, OPS, PLA, and PE. 
     
     
         18 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive material applied to the inner wall of the first portions of the strip comprises dispersions of elements chosen from the group consisting of polyester, vinyl acrylics, EVA, and ionomers. 
     
     
         19 . The process according to  claim 11 , wherein said step of providing the band further comprises the sub-step of defining second portions adjacent to and alternated with the first portions, which can be separated from said first portions for defining an uncoupled condition of the containers. 
     
     
         20 . The process according to  claim 19 , wherein said step of defining the second portions is carried out by forming a plurality of separation lines extending from opposite edges of the tubular strip, and each separation line being interposed between the first and second portions. 
     
     
         21 . The process according to  claim 20 , wherein said separation lines are made of a series of consecutive holes disposed along a predetermined path defining said lines, and said holes enabling transverse tearing of the strip for separating the first portions from the second portions, so as to define the uncoupled condition of the containers. 
     
     
         22 . The process according to  claim 21 , wherein the holes are made by using hot needles.