Material blank for a container support, bundle of multiple containers, and method for producing a bundle of multiple containers

Abstract

A material blank for attaching to a container group formed of multiple assembled containers, in particular so as to form a bundle. The blank has a connection section with multiple container receiving openings for arranging on the containers of the container group. In order to provide for an inexpensive production of a stable bundle, the material blank has a first folding tab, which adjoins the connection section at a first edge of the connection section, and a second folding tab, which adjoins the connection section at a second edge of the connection section opposite the first edge. The first and second folding tabs are designed and connected to the connection section such that the two folding tabs can be pivoted relative to the connection section into a bundle position in which the folding tabs overlap at least in some sections and cover an upper face of the connection section.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A material blank for attachment to a container group formed of a plurality of containers, the material blank comprising:
 a connection section formed with a plurality of container receiving openings to be arranged at the containers of the container group, said connection section having a first edge, a second edge opposite said first edge, and an upper face;   a first folding tab connected to said first edge of said connection section; and   a second folding tab connected to said second edge of said connection section opposite said first edge;   said first folding tab and said second folding tab being configured for pivoting relative to said connection section into a bundle position, in which said first and second folding tabs overlap one another, at least in part, and cover said upper face of said connection section.   
     
     
         21 . The material blank according to  claim 20 , wherein said connection section has a rectangular shape with a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge opposite said first longitudinal edge, and wherein said first folding tab is connected to said first longitudinal edge and said second folding tab is connected to said second longitudinal edge. 
     
     
         22 . The material blank according to  claim 20 , wherein said first folding tab is formed so that, in the bundle position, a free edge of said first folding tab, opposite said first edge, is arranged in a region of said second edge of said connection section. 
     
     
         23 . The material blank according to  claim 20 , wherein said second folding tab is configured, in the bundle position, to only partially cover said upper face of said connection section. 
     
     
         24 . The material blank according to  claim 23 , wherein, in the bundle position, a free edge of said second folding tab, opposite said second edge, is arranged in a region between a mid-line of said connection section which runs parallel to and equidistant from said first and second edges of said connection section, and said second edge of said second folding tab. 
     
     
         25 . The material blank according to  claim 20 , wherein:
 said connection section is formed with two mutually opposite free edges, each of which delimit said first and second edges of said connection section, and with two carrying openings;   each of said carrying openings being arranged equidistant from said first and second edges of said connection section; and   one of said carrying openings is formed at a distance interval from one of said two free edges of said connection section that is equal to a distance interval of the other said carrying opening to the other said free edge of said connection section.   
     
     
         26 . The material blank according to  claim 25 , wherein said first folding tab comprises two locking elements, which, in the bundle position, can be moved out of a folding plane into a locking position, in which each of said locking elements is in engagement with a respective said carrying opening of said connection section. 
     
     
         27 . The material blank according to  claim 26 , wherein said locking elements are formed from partially separable sections of said first folding tab. 
     
     
         28 . The material blank according to  claim 26 , wherein said locking elements are configured in a T-shape, and/or the respective said carrying opening of said connection section is formed with mutually opposing opening extensions for allowing said locking elements to pass through. 
     
     
         29 . The material blank according to  claim 25 , wherein said container receiving openings comprise retaining tabs that project inwards. 
     
     
         30 . The material blank according to  claim 20 , wherein said connection section and said first and second tabs are formed from a paper-based material. 
     
     
         31 . The material blank according to  claim 20 , wherein the material blank is a one-piece material blank. 
     
     
         32 . The material blank according to  claim 20 , wherein said second folding tab is configured without locking elements and without carrying openings. 
     
     
         33 . A container bundle, comprising:
 a plurality of containers and a container carrier;   said container carrier being formed of the material blank according to  claim 20 ;   said container receiving openings of said material blank being arranged coaxially with said containers and each of said container receiving openings engaging behind a projecting edge of a respective said container in a positive fit; and   said first and second folding tabs of said material blank being in the bundle position.   
     
     
         34 . The bundle according to  claim 33 , wherein said containers are arranged in at least two container rows, and said carrying openings are formed in said connection section of said material blank at a position centrally between the container rows. 
     
     
         35 . The bundle according to  claim 33 , wherein said first and second folding tabs are adhesively bonded to one another in an overlapping region, in which said folding tabs overlap one another. 
     
     
         36 . A method for producing a bundle with a plurality of containers and a container carrier, the method comprising:
 assembling the plurality of containers to form a container group;   providing a material blank according to  claim 20  with several container receiving openings at the container group;   attaching the material blank to the containers by coaxially arranging the container receiving openings at the containers;   pivoting the first and second folding tabs of the material blank into the bundle position in order to form a container carrier; and   connecting the first and second folding tabs to one another in an overlapping region thereof.   
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36 , which comprises, after attaching the material blank to the containers, bringing two locking elements of the first folding tab into engagement with a respective carrying opening of the connection section. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 37 , which comprises bringing the two locking elements into engagement with the carrying openings by a tool plate of an application unit, which comprises two impressing fingers. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the attaching step comprises attaching the material blank to the containers by a driven application unit, which comprises at least one pressing element with a tool plate, and which is moved circulating between an out-of-engagement position and an in-engagement position with the containers.