Abstract:
A plurality of moist pads are arranged in two stacks ( 36,40 ) such that the pads ( 32,34 ) of the stacks ( 36,40 ) overlap in a partial region in such a manner that a pad ( 24 ) of a second stack ( 40 ) protrudes into the partial region ( 74 ) between two pads ( 32 ) of a first stack ( 36 ). The pads ( 32 ) of the first stack ( 36 ) and the pads ( 34 ) of the second stack ( 40 ) each have a material cut-out ( 50 ) at the edge in order to form a gripping aid, and the pads ( 32 ) of the first stack ( 36 ) and of the second stack ( 40 ) are each oriented in such a manner that the material cut-outs ( 50 ) of the pads ( 32 ) of the first stack and the material cut-outs of the pads of the second stack jointly define the partial region.

Description:
This application is the national stage of PCT/EP2013/057168 filed on Apr. 5, 2013 and claims Paris Convention Priority from EP 12 174 942.8 filed Jul. 4, 2012. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention concerns an arrangement of a plurality of moist pads in a packaging container for dispensing to the end user, wherein the pads are arranged in two stacks such that the pads of the stacks overlap in a partial region in such a manner that a pad of a second stack protrudes into the partial region between two pads of a first stack. 
     Such an arrangement is known from EP 1 440 019 B1 and from DE 10 2006 020 926 A1. The alternate mutually overlapping arrangement of the pads of different stacks permits easy removal of an individual pad from the packaging container as compared with an arrangement of pads in only one stack. 
     The object of this invention is to create an arrangement that permits particularly easy removal of an individual pad from the packaging container. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This object is inventively achieved in a packaging container of the type stated above in that the pads of the first stack and the pads of the second stack each have a material cut-out at the edge in order to form a gripping aid, and that the pads of the first stack and the pads of the second stack are each oriented in such a manner that, at least in portions, the material cut-outs of the pads of the first stack and the material cut-outs of the pads of the second stack jointly define the partial region. 
     Depending on the implementation of the material cut-out and the disposition of the pads in the two stacks with respect to one another, this so-called partial region, in which the pads of the stack inventively overlap, can be divided into two parts and, in particular, comprise a first overlap section and a second overlap section, and, in particular, be spaced by an interposed free area (that is, by a material-free interstice that has a surface extending parallel to the extension plane of one pad). 
     The pads of different stacks are disposed such that they overlap in an alternating manner. Only one single pad of a second stack preferably protrudes into the partial region of the overlap between two pads of a first stack. Alternatively for this purpose, a plurality of pads, preferably two pads, in particular no more than three pads, of one stack protrude into the partial region of overlap between two pads of another stack, so that, in each case, two or three pads of different stacks are disposed overlapping in an alternating manner. 
     According to the invention, the pads have a material cut-out at the edge that is used as a gripping aid. Such a gripping aid can, for example, be formed by a recess in the contour of a pad. By the disposition of such material cut-outs at the edge in the partial region, in which pads of different stacks overlap, a compact gripping region is formed, in which gripping of one pad at a time is especially conveniently provided for. 
     In particular, the pads of different stacks are oriented with respect to each other at least substantially with mirror symmetry. In this way, a symmetrical arrangement with the smallest possible gripping region is formed. 
     A further simplification of the removal of pads from the packaging container results if the material cut-outs of the pads of different stacks are oriented in opposite directions with respect one another, for example, both pointing toward the partial region (the material cut-outs face the packaging center of the packaging container) or both facing away from the partial region. (The material cut-outs face a periphery of the packaging container.) This results in a minimum distance of the edges of the material cut-outs of the pads of different stacks and therefore reduces the size of the gripping region required to grip the pads of different stacks. 
     The edge of the pads preferably have, with the exception of the material cut-out, a geometric basic shape, wherein the basic shape is preferably circular, oval, or polygonal. The material cut-out is, in particular, partially circular or partially elliptical, so that the edge of the material cut-out can be especially simply gripped with one finger from the front or behind. 
     The edge of the pad with the exception of the material cut-out preferably has a circular basic shape, preferably with a radius assigned to the basic shape between 23 and 40 mm, further preferably between 28 and 38 mm, further preferably between 32 and 38 mm, further, in particular, with a radius of 35 mm. 
     Due to the material cut-out at the edge, the pads have a minimum diameter that differs from the radius of the basic shape. The minimum diameter is measured using an imaginary line departing from the apex of the material cut-out via the center of the basic shape leading to the intersection point with the edge of the pad opposite the material cut-out. The minimum diameter, in particular, in the case of a circular basic shape of the pad, is preferably between 25 and 73 mm, further preferably between 40 and 63 mm, further preferably between 50 and 58 mm. 
     The pad having the material cut-out, in particular, the pad with a circular basic shape, further preferably has a pad area between 13 and 45 cm 2 , in particular, between 18 and 37 cm 2 , further in particular, between 20 and 25 cm 2 . 
     It is further preferred if the pads of both stacks are identical in terms of their material and/or their shape (in particular, the basic shape and/or the shape of the material cut-out) and/or their dimensions. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, the edges of each pad extend free of folds along a section outside the material cut-out and/or along the material cut-out. In this way, pads can be provided in an especially conveniently usable way. 
     It is further preferred if a transition, preferably both transitions, of the edges of each pad between a section outside the material cut-out and the material cut-out is or are free of folds. In this way, an edge is provided that is especially suitable for convenient gripping contact in the region of the transitions as well. 
     “Free of folds” is understood to mean that there is no abrupt change within the edge of the pads and/or along the material cut-out but, in particular, changes of direction caused by differing radii transition into one another so that, for example, rounded corners result. 
     According to the invention, the edge of the material cut-out differs from the basic shape of the pad, preferably, having the shape of a partially circular or partially elliptical recess. The shape of the border limiting the recess is preferably defined by a radius. The radius of the recess can preferably correspond to the radius of the circular basic shape of the pad, wherein the radius of the basic shape is preferably between 23 and 40 mm, further preferably between 28 and 38 mm, further preferably between 32 and 38 mm, further preferably 35 mm. Alternatively, the radius of the recess can be smaller than the radius of the basic shape of the pad. The radius of the recess is preferably between 10 and 35 mm. 
     The border of the recess transitions, with reference to the direction of the minimum diameter defined above, into the basic shape in transitions disposed opposite each other, in particular, free of folds. 
     The border of the transitions preferably has a radius that is smaller than the radius defining the basic shape of the pad. The radius in the transitions is preferably between 5 and 15 mm, further preferably 10 mm. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, the pads each have an edge differing from a straight-lined shape (in particular, a zig-zag or wavy edge), wherein each material cut-out at the edge extends inwardly beyond the edge differing from the straight-lined shape. 
     It is especially preferred if each pad has precisely one material cut-out at the edge serving as a gripping aid. This ensures both convenient removal of a pad and provision of the greatest possible quantity of pad material. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, the total area jointly limited by two overlapping pads of different stacks has no discontinuities. This has the advantage that the packaging volume provided by a certain packaging container can be especially well used. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, a total area jointly limited by one of two overlapping pads of different stacks has a free area that is limited by at least part of the borders of the material cut-outs at the edge of the two pads. Such a free area reduces the useful volume with reference to a certain packaging container but at the same time further improves the convenience of pad removal because a space extending perpendicular to the free area can be used to introduce a finger and therefore to remove a pad in a particularly convenient manner. 
     The inventive arrangement enables especially good use of the volume of a packaging container. This is ensured, in particular, if the packaging container has a basic area for setting up the stack, if the pads have a pad area enclosed by the edge of a pad, and if the ratio of basic area to pad area is between 1.30 and 2.00, preferably between 1.50 and 1.80. 
     In particular, the packaging container has a basic area between 28 and 76 cm 2 , further, in particular, between 35 and 55 cm 2 . 
     An especially large useful volume arises even if two overlapping pads of different stacks jointly occupy one stack area, if the two pads each have a pad area enclosed by the edge of the pad, and if the ratio of stack area to pad area is between 1.10 and 1.80, preferably between 1.20 and 1.70. 
     Convenient removal with a high useful volume also results if the partial region in which pads of the stack overlap have an overlap area, if the pads each have a pad area enclosed by the edge of the pad, and if the ratio of overlap area to pad area is between 0.25 and 0.90, preferably between 0.28 and 0.83, in particular, between 0.40 and 0.67. 
     Both convenient removal and a high useful volume can be ensured if the partial region in which the pads of the stack overlap, has an overlap area, if the packaging container has a basic area for setting up the stack, and the ratio of overlap area to basic area is between 0.12 and 0.83, preferably between 0.16 and 0.50. 
     Special advantages arise if the packaging container has a wall, in particular, a wall on the cover side, in which a preferably detachably lockable removal opening having a removal opening area for removal of one pad at a time is provided. Such a removal opening makes it possible to influence how conveniently a pad can be removed from the packaging container and to what extent mechanical protection and/or protection against drying of moist pads is to be implemented. 
     It is possible that the whole wall of the packaging container comprising the removal opening can be removed. This is the case, for example, with a cover that, in the case of mutually parallel sidewalls of a packaging container, at least substantially has the same area as a basic area of the packaging container that is used to set up the two stacks. It is especially preferred, however, if the removal opening area is smaller than the basic area for setting up the stack. It is especially preferred if the ratio of removal opening area to basic area is between 0.06 and 0.20, preferably between 0.10 and 0.18, in particular between 0.10 and 0.16. These stated ratios entail the removal opening area being relatively small with respect to the basic area, so that especially good protection against drying out of the pads can be provided. Because of the inventive arrangement of the material cut-outs in the overlapping partial region, convenient removal of the pads overlapping in an alternating manner is ensured despite the relatively small removal opening. 
     The removal opening can have any shape. In particular, the removal opening can have a first longitudinal extent and a relatively shorter second longitudinal extent perpendicular to the former. The removal opening can have a substantially elongated shape, for example, a rectangular shape or an elongated hole shape or a shape that combines these shapes. The removal opening can have a necked, in particular, symmetrically constituted profile to reduce the size of the removal opening area of the removal opening. 
     The removal opening is preferably disposed centrally in the wall of the packaging container containing the removal opening. 
     It is further preferred if the removal opening is disposed in the wall of the packaging container such that the first longer longitudinal extent of the removal opening is disposed in the direction of the longer extent of the removal opening (for example, the wall of the packaging container in which the removal opening is provided). 
     The removal opening has, in particular, a removal opening area between 3 and 10 cm 2 , further, in particular, between 3 and 8 cm 2 , further, in particular, between 3 and 7 cm 2 . In particular, the removal opening has an elongated shape, with the first longer longitudinal extent between 20 and 50 mm, in particular, between 25 and 45 mm, further, in particular, between 30 and 40 mm. 
     Especially good protection from drying out of moist pads results if the removal opening is positioned and dimensioned such that only the following are accessible through the removal opening: a partial section of the partial region, in which the pads of the stacks overlap; a material cut-out of a pad of the first stack or a part thereof; after removal of such a pad of the first stack, a material cut-out of a pad of the second stack or part thereof. 
     A further improvement results if the partial section of the partial region in which the pads of the stacks overlap has a partial section area, and if the ratio of partial section area to removal opening area is between 0.12 and 0.90, preferably between 0.20 and 0.90, in particular, between 0.33 and 0.90. 
     If a total area limited by two overlapping pads of different stacks has a free area, which is limited by at least part of the limits of the material cut-outs at the edge of the two pads, it is preferred if the removal opening is positioned and dimensioned such that only the following are accessible through the removal opening: the free area or part of the free area; a material cut-out of a pad of the first stack or part thereof; after removal of such a pad of the first stack, a material cut-out of a pad of the second stack or part thereof. This enables convenient access of a finger into a space that is adjacent and perpendicular to the free area and removal of a pad of the first stack, followed by removal of a pad of the second stack, followed again by removal of a pad of the first stack, etc. 
     Both especially convenient removal of the pads and a smaller removal opening results if the free area accessible through the removal opening or the part of the free area accessible through the removal opening has an access free area, and if the ratio of access free area to removal opening area is between 0.16 and 0.64. 
     Finally, both convenient removal of a pad and a smaller removal opening results if the distance measured perpendicularly to the removal direction from a border of the removal opening to the closest border of the material cut-out at the edge of a pad is between 5 mm and 16 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 12 mm, in particular, between 5 mm and 8 mm. 
     It also proves advantageous if the packaging container is made of polymer materials or includes these, such as, in particular, thermoplastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and/or polystyrene. 
     The packaging container has a packaging basic body with a basic area for setting up the stacks and a side wall. 
     The packaging basic body is advantageously manufactured from the polymer materials in a deep drawing process. Such a packaging basic body as a deep-drawn part can be manufactured easily and inexpensively in this way, and also permits many design options. Further, a wall on the cover side is preferably mounted on the packaging basic body, in particular, by means of nondetachable adhesive, sealed, or welded connections. 
     The pads included in the packaging container can be made of any material. The pads can preferably be made of or include nonwoven structures. The pads preferably comprise or consist of cotton fibers and/or viscose fibers, wherein synthetic fibers, such as bicomponent fibers and/or polyester fibers, can preferably be added. 
     The pads are manufactured by usual web formation methods, such as carding, airlaying, and, in particular, by bonding methods, such as water jet needling and/or thermal and/or chemical binders. 
     Liquid is applied to the pads. This liquid can, for example, comprise an aqueous solution, an oil-in-water emulsion, or a water-in-oil emulsion. The liquid can, in particular, contain further components, such as care extracts, such as aloe vera, and/or scents/perfumes. 
     Further characteristics, details, and advantages of the invention result from the attached claims and from the drawings and description below of preferred embodiments of the inventive arrangement. For the characteristics stated above, below, and/or in the claims, protection is claimed irrespective of any dependency and in any combination. The drawing shows: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  A perspective view of an embodiment of a packaging container; 
         FIG. 2  An exploded view of an embodiment of an arrangement of a plurality of pads in a packaging container according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  A plan view of the arrangement according to  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  A plan view of the arrangement according to  FIG. 2  after removal of a locking tab; 
         FIG. 5  A side view of the arrangement according to  FIG. 4  along a section plane designated V-V in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  A view corresponding to  FIG. 4  of a further embodiment of a packaging container with a removal opening reduced in size; 
         FIG. 7  A plan view of an embodiment of a pad for use in the arrangement according to  FIGS. 2 to 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  A plan view of a further embodiment of a pad; 
         FIG. 9  A plan view of a further embodiment of an arrangement of a plurality of pads according to  FIG. 8  in a packaging container; 
         FIG. 10  A plan view corresponding to  FIG. 4  of the arrangement according to  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  A plan view corresponding to  FIG. 10  of a further embodiment of a packaging container with a removal opening reduced in size; 
         FIGS. 12-14  Plan views corresponding to  FIG. 9  of further embodiments of arrangements of a plurality of pads in a packaging container; 
         FIG. 15  A plan view of a further embodiment of an arrangement of a plurality of pads in a packaging container. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     An embodiment of a packaging container is collectively designated with the reference number  10  in  FIG. 1 . The packaging container  10  has a packaging base  12  that is elliptical or, as shown in the drawing, comprising two semicircles and a central rectangular area. A sidewall  14  extends along the contour of the packaging base  12  and perpendicular thereto and has a height which corresponds to the useful height of the packaging container  10 . 
     The packaging container  10  has a wall  16  on the cover side, which extends, in particular, parallel to the packaging base  12 . 
     The wall  16  on the cover side has a slightly larger area than the packaging base  12 , so that it can be attached to the upper side of a mounting edge  18  protruding outward from the side wall  14 , in particular, using a permanent adhesive or welded connection. 
     The wall  16  on the cover side has a removal opening  20  preferably extending parallel to the packaging base  12 , which is used to form an access to the interior of the packaging container  10 . The removal opening  20  limits a removal opening area  22 . The removal opening  20  can be detachably closed using a locking tab  24 . 
     In a closed condition, the locking tab  24  completely overlaps the removal opening  20 . The locking tab  24  has a gripping section  26  free of adhesive in a known way, by means of which the locking tab  24  can be lifted at least in sections from the upper part of the wall  16  on the cover side. The locking tab  24  has an adhesive coating  28  along the underside of an edge overlapping the removal opening  20  to ensure that the removal opening  20  can be reclosed. 
     An interior  30  of the packaging container  10  is filled with pads  32 ,  34  disposed in an alternating overlapping manner. In the description below, the pads  32  are allocated to a first stack  36  with a first stack axis  38  (cf.  FIG. 5 ). The pads  34  are allocated to a second stack  40  with a second stack axis  42 . The stack axes  38  and  42  extend perpendicularly with respect to the extension planes of the pads  32  and  34 . The stack axes  38  and  32  are parallel with to another. 
     The stack axes  38  and  42  extend, in particular, perpendicularly with respect to a basic area  44  of the packaging container  10 . The basic area  44  is that area of the packaging base  12  that is limited by the inner side of the side wall  14 . This basic area is therefore available for setting up the stacks  36  and  40 . 
     The pads  32 ,  34  have an edge  46  on the circumference side that is, in particular, free of folds. 
     The basic shape of the pads  32 ,  34  is, in particular, a circular shape (cf.  FIG. 7 ). This circular shape has, for example, a radius  48  of 23 to 40 mm, in particular, a radius  48  of 35 mm. Deviating from this basic shape, the pads  32 ,  34  have a material cut-out  50  at the edge that is limited by a border  52 . The border  52  is part of the profile of the edge  46 , but deviates with this border  52  from the basic shape of the edge  46 . The border  52  can, for example, be constituted in the shape of a recess, wherein the profile of the border  52  limiting the recess is defined by a radius  54 . The radius  54  can have the values stated above in respect of the radius  48 . In particular, the radius  54  can be equal to the radius  48 . 
     Due to the material cut-out  50  at the edge, the pads  32 ,  34  have a minimum diameter  56 , which, for example, is between 25 mm and 73 mm, preferably, between 40 mm and 58 mm, further, in particular, between 40 and 55 mm. 
     The border  52  transitions, with respect to the direction of the minimum diameter  56 , into the basic shape of the edge  46  at transitions  58 ,  60  disposed opposite each other, in particular, free of folds. A radius  62  in a transition region  58 ,  60  is preferably smaller than the radius  48  defining the basic shape of the pad  32 ,  34 . In particular, the radius  62  is equal to 10 mm. 
     The pads  32 ,  34  are, in respect of each of their stack axes  38 ,  42 , oriented in opposite directions to each other. Thus, the material cut-outs  50  at the edge of the pads  32  of the first stack  36  face in the direction of the second stack  42 , and the material cut-outs  50  at the edge of the pads  34  of the second stack  34  face in the direction of the first stack  36 . In particular, the pads  32  and  34  are disposed mirror symmetrically or at least substantially mirror symmetrically with respect to the first plane of symmetry  64  (cf.  FIG. 4 ) of the packaging container  10 , which is defined by the greatest distance of mutually opposite sections of the sidewall  14  and/or relative to a second plane of symmetry  66  perpendicular to the first plane of symmetry  64 , which is defined by the smallest distance of mutually opposite sections of the sidewall  14 . 
     The pads  32 ,  34  have a pad area  68  enclosed by the edge  46  including border  52 . The pads  32 ,  34  of different stacks  36 ,  40  jointly limit a total area  70 , which has no discontinuities for the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2 to 6  and is therefore identical with a stack area  72 . The pad areas  68  of the pads  32 ,  34  of different stacks  36 ,  40  overlap in a partial region  74 , that is shown hatched in  FIG. 3 . The partial region  74  has an overlap area  76 . The partial region  74  with the overlap area  76  is also limited by the borders  52  of the material cut-outs  50 . 
     At least parts of the borders  52  are disposed in such a way relative to the removal opening  20  that, in respect of a removal direction  78  (cf.  FIG. 5 ), they are accessible through the removal opening  20 . For example, a minimum distance  80  of the borders  52  of the material cut-outs  50  at the edge of different pads  32 ,  34  is between 5 and 35 mm, in particular, 25 mm. 
     A length measured parallel to this (without reference number) of the removal opening  20  is, for example, 20 to 50 mm, in particular, 35 mm. 
     A distance  82  of a border  52  of a material cut-out  50  to a closest limit  84  of the removal opening  20  is preferably no more than 16 mm and, in particular, at least 5 mm. 
     The profile of the removal opening  20  is coordinated with the partial region  74  in which the pads  32 ,  34  overlap, in such a way that only a partial section area  86  (that is, only a proportion of the overlap area  76 , this proportion is cross-hatched in  FIG. 3 ) is accessible through the removal opening  20 . The removal opening  20  can have a substantially elongated shape, for example, a rectangular shape, or an elongated hole shape, or a shape that combines these shapes (cf.  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
     To further reduce the size of the removal opening area  22  of the removal opening  20 , the removal opening  20  can have a necked profile in a region  87 . The neck  87  is preferably constituted symmetrically with respect to at least one of the axes of symmetry  64 ,  66 . 
     To remove a pad  32 ,  34  from the packaging container  10 , the locking tab  24  is lifted from the removal opening  20  so that the removal opening area  22  is exposed. After this, a border  52  of the material cut-out  50  at the edge of a first pad  32  can be gripped with a finger, which can be introduced in the region of the removal opening  20  between the border  52  of the material cut-out  50  at the edge and a border  84  of the removal opening  20 . This is done while resting a fingertip on a top side of a second pad  34 . Removal of the first pad  32  through the removal opening  20  entails deformation of the pad  32 . After removal of the first pad  32  has been completed, a finger can be introduced into the removal opening  22  and grip at the border  52  of the material cut-out  50  at the edge of the pad  34 , resting on the top side of the next “first” pad  32 , and, deforming the second pad  34 , remove the second pad  34  from the interior  30  through the removal opening  20 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8  of a pad  32 ,  34 , the material cut-out  50  at the edge is more strongly pronounced than the material cut-out  50  at the edge of the pads  32 ,  34  according to  FIG. 7 . This is achieved by locating the material cut-out at the edge further toward the center of the pad  32 ,  34  and reducing the radius of curvature  54  in this region. This results in a minimum diameter  56  of the pad  32 ,  34  according to  FIG. 8 , for example, that is only slightly larger than the radius  48 , which is defined by the basic shape of the pad  32 ,  34  according to  FIG. 8 . 
     Displacement of the material cut-out  50  at the edge radially inward, while retaining the packaging size of the packaging container  10  according to  FIGS. 2 to 6  with a corresponding distance of the stack axes  38 ,  32  (cf.  FIG. 9 ), forms a free area, which is shown dotted in  FIG. 9 . The free area  88  is limited at least by part of the limits  52  of the material cut-outs  50  at the edge. Neither material of the first pad  32  nor material of the second pad  34  is disposed in the region of the free area  88 . The stack area  72  of the arrangement according to  FIGS. 9 to 11  corresponds to the total area  70  jointly limited by the pads  32 ,  34 , minus the free area  88 . 
     The dimensions and positioning of the removal opening  20  and the free area  88  are coordinated with each other in such a way that an access free area  90  accessible through the removal opening  20  is equal to the total free area  88 . (In  FIG. 10 , the access free area  90  is shown cross-hatched.) 
     If the removal opening  20  is further reduced in size, for example, having a neck  87  (cf.  FIG. 11 ), only part of the free area  88  can, for example, be exposed by the removal opening  20 , with the consequence that the access free area  90  is smaller than the free area  88 . 
     In the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 9 to 11 , the partial region  74 , in which the pads  32 ,  34  of different stacks overlap, is divided into two and surrounds a first overlap section  74   a  and a second overlap section  74   b . The free area  88  is, in particular, with reference to a plane of symmetry  66  between the sections  74   a  and  74   b , disposed such that the border  52  of the material cut-outs  50  at the edge, limit both the free area  88  and the sections  74   a  and  74   b  of the partial region  74 . 
     In an embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , pads  32 ,  34  are provided, which, with reference to a first plane of symmetry  64  of the packaging container  10 , are constituted as an elongated ellipse. The partial region  74  arising by proportional overlapping of the pad  32  has the shape of an hourglass. 
       FIG. 13  shows an embodiment with a packaging container  10 , which has a substantially square basic area  44  for disposing pads  32 ,  34 , which have a rectangular basic shape. Due to the shape of the material cut-outs  50  at the edge, a substantially hourglass-shaped partial region  74  arises, in which the pads  32 ,  34  overlap. 
     If the material cut-outs  50  at the edge are sufficiently pronounced, it is also possible for the pads  32 ,  34  of different stacks to overlap in multiple sections  74   a ,  74   b  if the basic area  44  is substantially square. The sections  74   a ,  74   b  jointly form the partial region  74 . A free area  88  is constituted between the partial regions  74   a ,  74   b  (cf.  FIG. 14 ). 
       FIG. 15  shows an embodiment in which the material cut-outs  50  of the pads  32 ,  34  of different stacks  36 ,  40  each face a periphery of the packaging container  10 . The material cut-out  50  of the first pad  32  faces in a direction  92  toward the periphery of the packaging container  10 ; the material cut-out  50  of the second pad  34  faces in the direction  94  toward the periphery of the packaging container  10 ; the directions  92  and  94  are opposite to each other.