Packaging device and method for a compact batch of grouped containers

Abstract

Provided is a packaging device for a compact batch of at least two grouped containers and methods of packaging containers in a batch using such a device. The device includes a strip, the strip having an inner face, an outer face and two longitudinal edges. The packaging device forms a belt surrounding the containers or a handle for handling the batch. At least one of the longitudinal edges is folded against one of the faces, of the strip so as to form at least one fold.

1 . A device for packaging a compact batch of at least two containers grouped together, said containers being bottles or brick packs of rounded section, said device comprising:
 a tape, said tape having an interior face an exterior face and two longitudinal edges, wherein the device forms a belt surrounding the containers or a handle for manipulating said batch,   wherein   at least one of said longitudinal edges is folded against either the interior face or the exterior face to form at least one fold.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two longitudinal edges is folded against the interior face and wherein the at least one fold covers the interior face of the tape only partly. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the two longitudinal edges is folded against the interior face forming at least two folds and wherein the at least two folds together cover the interior face of the tape only partly. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the two longitudinal edges are folded such that each forms a respective fold and wherein together the respective folds cover one of the faces of the tape completely. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the at least two folds formed by the two longitudinal edges are symmetrical. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tape has a coating on at least one the interior face and the exterior face, and wherein the coating is paint, a glue, lacquer, or treatment. 
     
     
         7 . A batch of containers grouped together, the batch comprising:
 at least two containers; and   at least one packaging device, the packaging device comprising:
 a tape, said tape having an interior face, an exterior face and two longitudinal edges, wherein the device forms a belt surrounding the containers or a handle for manipulating said batch,
 wherein at least one of said longitudinal edges is folded against either the interior face or the exterior face to form at least one fold, and wherein the at least one device comprises an interior side and an exterior side. 
 
   
     
     
         8 . The batch as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one packaging device is a belt surrounding the at least two containers of said batch configured to hold the at least two containers grouped together, wherein the interior side of the device is affixed against a peripheral wall of the at least two containers. 
     
     
         9 . The batch as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the belt is formed by overlapping its opposite ends and, and wherein the opposite are adhered by ultrasound welding. 
     
     
         10 . The batch as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one packaging device further comprises a handle configured to enable a user to hold and to lift said batch, and wherein one of the faces of the tape of said device comprises an adhesive coating, and wherein the interior side of said device is affixed against the peripheral wall of at least two containers. 
     
     
         11 . The batch as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said batch comprises at least two packaging devices, the first device being a belt that holds the containers grouped together and the second device being a handle, the interior side of said handle coming into contact with said belt by partially or totally overlapping the belt transversely. 
     
     
         12 . An installation for packaging at least two containers in a batch as claimed in  claim 7 , the installation comprising:
 at least one grouping module configured to group the at least two containers;   at least one affixing module configured to affix at least one packaging device; and   at least one folding module for folding the tape, the folding module configured to fold at least one longitudinal edge of the tape against the external face or the internal face.   
     
     
         13 . The packaging installation as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the packaging device is a belt and wherein the at least one affixing module is a strapping module. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging installation as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the packaging device comprises a handle, and wherein the packaging installation further comprises a second affixing module, the second affixing module configured to a handle. 
     
     
         15 . A method of packaging at least two containers in a batch, comprising:
 grouping at least two containers together;   folding at least one packaging device, wherein the folding comprises folding at least one longitudinal edge of a tape of the packaging device against an internal face or an external face of the tape to form at least one fold; and   affixing at least one packaging device to the group of at least two containers.   
     
     
         16 . The packaging method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the at least one packaging device is a belt, the method further comprising wrapping the batch by affixing the belt with sufficient tension to hold said at least two containers together in the batch. 
     
     
         17 . The packaging method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the packaging device is a belt, the method further comprising placing a second packaging device on the batch, wherein the second packaging device is a handle, and wherein the handle at least partly covers the belt.