Process for producing a packaing unit

Abstract

A method for producing a packaging unit includes combining individual products into a product formation, providing a shrink-wrap film having a perforation area that is susceptible to contact-free activation, and using the shrink-wrap film, securing the individual products to each other.

Having described the invention, and a preferred embodiment thereof, what is claimed as new and secured by Letters Patent is: 
     
         1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method for producing a packaging unit, said method comprising combining individual products into a product formation, providing a shrink-wrap film having a perforation area that is susceptible to contact-free activation, and using said shrink-wrap film, securing said individual products to each other. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising causing contact-activation of said film at said perforation area using an energy source, thereby reducing film strength at said perforation area. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein reducing film strength comprises reducing film strength by more than 5% in said perforation area after contact-free activation thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising furnishing said shrink-wrap film with a perforation coating, and causing contact-free activation of said perforation coating. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein furnishing said shrink-wrap film with a perforation coating comprises applying said perforation coating on an upper film surface of said film. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein furnishing said film with a perforation coating comprises printing a coating on said film. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein printing a coating on said film is carried out after securing said individual products to each other. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein furnishing said film with a perforation coating comprises furnishing a perforation coating that absorbs a selected form of energy. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising heating said film by providing said selected form of energy to be absorbed by said film. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , furnishing said film with a perforation coating comprises furnishing a perforation coating that engages in a chemical reaction in response to a selected form of energy. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein causing contact-activation of said film at said perforation area using an energy source comprises causing contact-free activation using electromagnetic radiation. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein causing contact-activation of said film at said perforation area using an energy source comprises causing contact-activation using inductively-stored energy. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein causing contact-activation of said film at said perforation area using an energy source comprises causing contact-activation using capacitively-stored energy. 
     
     
         25 . A manufacture comprising a packaging unit comprising individual products, and a shrink-wrap film, wherein said shrink-wrap film is furnished with a perforation area, wherein said individual products are combined into a product formation, wherein said products are secured to each other by said shrink-wrap film, and wherein said perforation area is susceptible to contact-free activation.