A METHOD OF BUNDLING UP FOOD CONTAINERS, IN PARTICULAR BOTTLES

Abstract: A method of bundling up bottles comprises the steps of: engaging at least two containers (1) by an interconnecting element (2) having a heat-deformable portion (2a), wherein said containers (1) define a unitary assembly (3) in cooperation with the interconnecting element (2); engaging at least two unitary assemblies (3) by means of a covering (4) of heat-sensitive material, wherein said unitary assemblies (3) define a package (5) in cooperation with the covering (4); and making said covering (4) adhere to the unitary assemblies (3) by exposure of the covering (4) to a heat flow. This method is characterized in that it further comprises the step of shielding the heat-deformable portion (2a) against the heat flow, which step is embodied by creation of a liquid layer on the heat-deformable portion (2a) and/or by use of a protection element (12) contained in the final station (10) which is operatively active on the heat-deformable portion (2a) to at least partly intercept the heat flow striking on said heat-deformable portion (2a).

Description: A METHOD OF BUNDLING UP FOOD CONTAINERS, IN PARTICULAR BOTTLES D e s c r i p t i o n The present invention relates to a method of bundling up food containers, m particular bottles. It is known that for large-scale distribution of foodstuffs of wide consumption, use of food containers having particular features is required; among the great number of these features (assurance of good conservation of their contents, sturαmess, mexpensiveness) undoubtedly important is the capacity of these containers ro be easily and efficiently stored during the different transport steps to which they are inevitably subjected. A particular sphere m this wide economical sector is represented by all activities connected with bottling and preparation of drinks and beverages, among which waters and soft fizzy drinks are to be mentioned; this sector has peculiar technical and production problems resulting from the nature of the drinks themselves and their wide diffusion m the field of private food supply and pαblic catering. In general but not necessarily, these drinks are put on the market m bottles of any volume (usually 1.5 or even 2 litres), made of plastic material (polyethylene commonly known with the abbreviation PET, for example) ; it is to be noted that, in order to limit the expansion effects of carbon dioxiαe with which such drinks are added, often while bottling operations are being carried out, the drink is submitted to a low temperature treatment. Subsequently to bottling, different production steps are carried out for the purpose of bundling tne containers up, i.e. gathering several bottles together (m a varying amount, depending on storage or distribution requirements), to form a single transportable unit wnich is then handled towards warehouses or m turn inserted m pallets of great sizes to be transported to the distribution centres. Generally, drink-containing bottles are sola m multiple packages, i.e. comprising more than one bottle for instance, packages of two to six bottles are commonly available bat asserrolies of eight or twelve bottles or even more are not rare); such packages, also cabled "bundlmgs" m the jargon of those working m this particular field, are essentially made up of a given number of bottles held together by bands of heat- shnnkable plastic material pressing them together, by partly or fully surrounding them. The processes tnat are commonly employed to obtain such packages involve use of heat-shπnkable plastic films that are wound arounα the suitably-arranged bottles, sealed at the lower part of said bottles and subsequently caused to adhere to the bottle themselves by exposing tne assembly to a heat flow; obviously such a heat flow causes shrinkage of the heat-shnnkable film that adapt itself to the outer surface of said bottles. A process of great bearing on production of packages of food containers ana m particular drink containers, involves the step of mutually linking two or more bottles by a tubular band of elastically extensible plastic material which m this case is not employed for its neat- shπnkable properties but is useα foi the purpose of laterally clenching the bottles and keep them mutually m position. This production method essentially airs at obtaining a finisned product adapted to be sold by retail m a single solution (m other words, the two or more packaged Dottles can be easily picked up by a s_ngle consumer ana treated like a single product to be purchased) . As an alternative to the elastically-extensible plastic band, a clastic band suitably made adnesive can be used for linking to the side surface of tne bottles to be joined together. Such processes generally enable achievement of assemblies of two, three or four bottles wherein tne pack consists of a single side band and a plastic handle engaged thereto . Once a unitary assembly comprising at least two bottles has been obtained, pallets containing a great number of packages for transport and/or storage m warehouses can be formed, by covering two or more of these unitary assemblies with a heat-shπnkable plastic film and acting m the same manner as previously described for individual bottles . While the methods of the known art briefly described above are widely used, they however have some drawbacks. In fact, m the case m which several unitary assemblies of containers obtained by used of elastically extensible or also adhesive bands are wished to be packaged (in other words bundled up; , since said oands due to their intrinsic nature have weak properties of resistance to heat, many problems arise that are linked to the necessary use of a heat flow on the heat-snπnkage external covering, because neat applied thereto causes a great deterioration of the side bands; it should be noted m this connection that the dangerous effects of heat are particularly felt on those portions of the extensible or adhesive band that are not directly in contact with bottles, because they cannot take advantage of the great thermal irertia of the liquid contained in the bottle itself whιc κ is generally filled under low temperature. Deterioration of the elastically extensible or ad n esιve oands obviously involves disadvantages m terms of package conerence or even package maintenance, above all taking into consideration the weight of the bottles filled with a drink and the fact that the carbon dioxide present inside the drink ltse±f tends to cause expansion of the bottle, whici will further increase stresses transmitted to the plastic material band, which band on the other hand is already weaker. A further drawback is given by the fact that often the elastically extensible band is employeα as a medium for printing labels, inscriptions or various graphic elements, whereas this clearly cannot be αone m the case of heat-shπnkable covers because these graphic elements would be submitted to undesirable deformations (or m general their qual_ty would become worse) ; m this case deterioration of the elastically-extensible band also involves deformation of possible printed characters present thereon. In addition, a drawback connected with known bundling-up methods consists n that, depending on current technical requirements, the most important physical parameters (heat intensity and exposure) for treatment of the heat- shnnkable covering by heat flow are greatly variable; m other words, greatly different is the machinery (ovens) capable of carrying out this operation. Finally the above brings about a great difficulty in quantitatively foreseeing the amount of damage on the elastically extensible or adhesive band and consequently m identifying the optimal criteria for limiting said damage. Under tnis situation, the technical task underlying the present invention is to substantially obviate the drawbacks of the known art. In particular, it is a technical task of the present invention to devise a method of bundling up containers whicn enables use of neat-snrmkable covers in coordination with the presence of elastically-extensible or adhesive bands while at the same time preventing occurrence of deterioration phenomena of the mechanical and/or aesthetic properties of sa d bands. In addition, it is an aim of the present invention to devise a method of bundling up containers whicn is substantially capable of preventing deteriorations of the elastically-extensible or adhesive bands irrespective of the exposure time and the intensity of the heat flow used (i.e. irrespective of the typology of tne used oven) for making the heat-shπnkable covers adhere to said containers . It is a further aim of the present invention to provide use of plastic covers of a smaller thickness than that commonly adopted and to obtain a production method of easy accomplishment and particularly reduced costs. The technical task mentioneα ana the aims specified are substantially achieved by a method of bundling up containers in particular for bottles, as described m the accompanying drawings . Further features and aαvantages of tne methoα of the invention will become more clear from the following description . Description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a method of bundling up containers, m particular for απnks, is given hereinafter, by way of non-limiting example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, m wnich : - Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic vα ew of a continuous automated line for carrying out the methoα of the present invent on; - Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic front view of an o e^ for carrying o ^ t packaging, used in the automated line shown Fig. 3 is a side view concerning two possible embodiments of protection elements used m ovens of the type shown m Fig. 2, for example; - Fig. is a siαe view of a further embodiment of a protection element m accordance with the invention; - Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of Fig. 4, provided with deflecting fins; and - Fig. 6 is a perspective vie showing bundling up of containers, as obtained py tne method of the present invention. The method m accordance with the present invention is aαvantageously put into practice m a continuous and automated production line, along a sequence of operating stations partly shown m Fig. 1; at the entry of such a production line a predetermmeα number of single bottles is fed, whereas at the exit of the line itself packages of any number of unitary assemblies of bottles are gathered, αependmg on requirements. The method of the present invention involves the steps hereinafter described, set out in a preferential but not- limitmg sequence. First of all, the bottles or more generally containers 1 are handled along a feed direction 6 towards a first station (not snown) m whιc μ the engagement step of the individual containers 1 is carried out; m particular, it is to be noted that two or more containers 1 (depending on requirements) are mutually engaged by use of an interconnecting element 2 substantially defineα by an elastically extensible film of plastic material. This film is substantially defined by a tuoular oand wrapo ^ ng tne containers 1 and pressing them against eacn other, wnicn containers are arranged m side by side relationship at their side portions. Alternatively, the film m question can be also maαe up of a ribbon-like plastic element substantially having the same sizes as the tubular band and provided with at ..east one adhesive surface. This element is disposeα on containers 1 m the same manner as the above mentioned elastically-extensible band; obviously, the application modalities of the two possible alternative embodiments of the interconnecting element 2, known by themselves, are slightly different depending on whether unwinding of an adhesive tape around containers 1 is required or an elastically-extensible band is to be adapted arounα said containers, by insertion from the top the for example. At this point it is to be noted that the interconnecting element 2, irrespective of the nature of the possible alternative embodiments, has a heat-deformable portion 2a; in particular sucn a heat-deformable portion 2a is defined by all parts of the interconnecting element 2 that are not m direct contact with containers 1. In this connection it is m fact to be pointed out that the intrinsic thermal properties of the interconnecting element 2 are obviously constant over the whole element, but with the production method of the present invention, the parts of tne interconnecting element 2 that are m contact w_th a bottle (that, as already mentioned, holds an important mass of liquid at a constant temperature greatly lower than the oven's temperature) almost completely absorb the heat transmitted to these parts, because thermal inertia has greatly increased. Thus, arising of thermal deformations due to heat flows in the oven is prevented m these regions. On tne contrary, the lengths of the interconnecting element 2 tnat are not in contact with containers 2 cannot utilise the "thermal-accumulation" effect given by the containers themselves, and cannot conveniently resist the deformations induced by a heat flov. directly striking thereon. It is to be noted that the arrangement shown m Fig. 1 highlights the presence of unprotecteα bands 2a on both the lateral sides of the package. Also explanatory m this connection is Fig. 6. In particular, m this drawing it is possible to see how the subsequent heat-shπnkable covering 4 does not at all cover the more sensitive side regions 2a called in jargon "bull eyes" . Still m this step, a transport handle may be inserted between the containers 2 and the interconnecting element 2; this transport handle comprises a ribbon also made of plastic material, having a central portion designed to be manually grasped by a user, and typically two end portions that are made adhesive and linked to the interconnecting element 2 at symmetrically opposite regions of tne same and to the containers 1 occupying the end positions . In other words, this production step brings to creation of a unitary assembly 3 defined by containers 1 m cooperation with the interconnecting element. Subsequently, at least two unitary assemblies 3 are handled towards a second station 8 wherein a step of mutual engagement between these unitary assemblies 3 is carried out; this production step involves wrapping of a covering 4 of heat-sensitive plastic material around at least two unitary asserrclies 3. In this way a package 5 is defined which substantially consists of any number (typically two or three) of unitary assemblies 3 in cooperation with covering 4. Package 5 ootamed m tne last-mentioned production step is then submitted to a process step designed to enable protection of the heat-deformable portion 2a. The final step of the production method m accordance with the present invention involves handling of package 5 towards a final station 10; in this final station 10 whicn. substantially consists of an oven, covering 4 is caused to adhere to the unitary assemblies 3; in conformity with the known art, this step is put into practice by exposure of package 5 to a heat flow causing shrinkage of the heat-snπnkable covering 4 and therefore internal pressing against each other of the unitary assemblies 3 formed by containers 1 and m addition mutually linked by tne interconnecting elements 2. In more detail, the step of protecting and shielding the heat-deformable portion 2a car be advantageously accomplished following two different modalities to be used individually or in combination with each otner, depending on requirements and on the packaging line. A first alternative operating embodiment essentially involves the sub-step of wetting the heat-deformable portion 2a at least partly, so as to give the heat- deformable portion 2a a tnermal inertia which is at least comparable with the inertia of the portions of tne interconnecting element that are m contact with containers 1. This is put into practice by spraying a liquid jet onto the heat-deformable portion 2a; this liquid jet advantageously consists of an atomized, preferably micronized, water jet so as to create a uniformly distributed and persistent thin liquid layer. Obviously, the created thin liquid layer will evaporate by effect of the heat flow, absorbing the heat transmitted to the heat-deformable portion 2a ana consequently preventing deterioration thereof. Advantageously, the micronized water jet is previously pressurized to a high pressure to utilise lowering of the water temperature (and therefore increase tne "shielding" properties of the water following a aαiabatic expansion at the time of tne jet. Conveniently, the step of wetting the heat-deformable portion 2a is performed in a third operating station 9 towards which package 5 is handled after its coming out of the seconα operating station 8 previously described; after completion of the above step, package 5 is handled to the already mentioned final station 10 for carrying out the operations provided therein. Advantageously, the step of wetting the heat-deformable portion 2a is carried out by use of at least one sprayer 11 oriented transversely of the feed direction 6 and operatively active on the heat-deformable portion 2a; obviously, for achievement of the same result on both the exposed sides of the package, at least two sprayers 11 are employed; they are oriented transversely of the feed direction 6 on opposite sides with respect to package 5 but always operatively active on tne heat-deformable portion 2a. An alternative operating embodiment of the method of the present invention or an integration thereof consists in protecting the heat-deformable portion 2a by shielding it against tne heat flow through arrangement of a protection element 12 associated with the final station 10 (mounted at the inside of the oven for example, so as to protect the heat-deformable portion 2a when package 5 is introduced into the oven itself) and operatively active at least on the heat-deformable portion 2a for the purpose of at least partly intercepting the heat flow striking thereon. In accordance with the present invention, the protection element 12 may consist of a plate-like body disposed close to tne heat-deformable portion 2a and oriented m a direction suostantially parallel to the feed direction 6 over about the whole length of the oven. Advantageously, the method of the present invention further comprises a step of deflecting the heat flow striking on the heat-deformable portion 2a; this step is accomplished by use of deflecting means 13 operatively active o the heat flow to prevent indirect interactions between tne heat flow and the heat-deformable portion 2a. In particular, the deflecting means 13 can be provided or not with deflecting fins 14 extending from the opposite sides of the edge of the protection element 12 and oriented in an oblique direction with respect to the feed direction 6 to cut the heat flow; these deflecting fins 14 perform the function of intercepting or at all events cutting the exchange of energy with the heat flow, and m particular the conductive anα/or radiating heat flow. In addition, the just described sub-step can be integrated by deflecting the incident heat flow m an active manner, i.e. by olowmg air to a lower temperature than tne heat flow temperature. In particular, this is obtained by means of blowing nozzles 15 the operating axis of which is oriented in a direction suostant ^ ally striking or the heat-oeformaole portion 2a to cut the heat flow (m particular, the convective heat flow) . Concurrently with the action of the blowing nozzles 15, for carrying out the last-mentioned production step use of at least one central diffuser 16 may be provided which is formed in the middle of the protection element 12; such a central diffuser 16 has an operating axis oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the heat- deformable portion 2a and m turn is designed to cut the convective neat flow. It is to be noted at this point that, m the alternative operating embodiment of the method in accordance with the present invention as hitherto described, the steps of making covering 4 adhere to the unitary assemblies 3 and that of shielding and protecting the heat-deformable portion 2a are performed simultaneously, since the protection element 12 and related deflecting means 13 are substantially contained at the inside of the oven into which packages 5 are introduced. It is apparent that tne typology, geometry and sizes of the usable deflecting means depend on the oven features and in particular on tne temperature, speed and direction of tne thermal flows, etc. The method of the present invention, m its alternative embodiments, enables bundling up of containers m particular for drinks to be obtained in which provision is made for the presence of at least two containers 1, at least one interconnecting element 2 associated with said containers 1 and a covering 4 of heat-sensitive material substantially adhering to the unitary assemblies 3. Obviously, if technical or commercial requirements make it necessary, a pac-cage 5 formed of a singly unitary assembly 3 may be envisaged; possibly, the unitary assemblies 3 present m the package can be equipped with a transport handle shaped as previously described. Tne invention achieves important advantages. First of all it is to be noted that the step of protecting the heat-deformable portion 2a greatly prevents occurrence of problems connected with mechanical ana aesthetic deterioration of the elastically extensible band, while at tne same time allowing an efficient adaptation of the heat-shnnkable covering 4, so that a package made up of any amount of unitary assemblies can be produced, which assemblies in turn can consist of an arbitrary number of containers; this represents a great advantage from the point of view of the production flexibility. Another important advantage of the method of the present invention resides m that the step of shielding the heat- deformable portion 2a can apply to any combination of intensity of the heat flow and exposure of the package to the heat flow itself; m fact, m order to ensure a sufficient shielding of the heat-deformable portion 2a it is possible to conveniently act on the quantity and/or temperature cf the water to be sprayed, and/or the protection element 12 and deflecting means 13 assccateα therewitn can be suitably sized; m accordance with the above, m this case too advantages are obtained in terms of quality of the finisheα product and working flexibility. Finally, accomplishment of the method of the present invention enables a finished product of appreciable mechanical/aesthetic features to be obtained at reduced production costs and times and with a great operating reliability, without use of machinery of sophisticated or delicate operation and/or adjustment. Clearly such a metnod can also be aαopted if the elastic side bands are disposed m such a manner that they join together individual bottles disposed m horizontal side by side relationship with respect to the feed direction, i.e. bottles arranged m a configuration rotated tnrough 90° as compared with the configuration shown m Fig. 1.

Claims: C L A I M S 1. A method of bundling up containers, m particular drink containers, comprising the following steps: - engaging at least two containers (1) by an interconnecting element (2) having at least one heat- deformable portion (2a), said containers (1) defining a unitary assembly (3) m cooperation with saiα interconnecting element (2); - engaging at least two unitary assemblies (3) by means of a covering (4) of heat-sensitive material, said unitary assemblies ( 3) defining a package (5) m cooperation witn the covering (4); and - making said covering (4 substantially adhere to the unitary assemblies (3; by exposure of the package (5) to a heat flow; characterized m that it further comprises the step of protecting the heat-deformable portion (2a) of the interconnecting element (2) against the heat flow. 2. A method as claimed m claim 1, characterized m that it comprises the following steps: - handling the containers (1) along a feed direction (6) towards a first station (7) carrying out the step of engaging the containers (1); engaging at least two containers (1) by the interconnecting element (2) having said at least one heat-deformable portion (2a) ; - handling at least two unitary assemblies (3) towards a second station (8) carrying out said step of engaging the unitary assemblies (3); - engaging at least two unitary assemblies (3) by means of the covering (4) of heat-sensitive material; - protecting the heat-deformable portion (2a) against the heat flow; - handling the package (5) towards a final station (10) carrying out the step of making the covering (4) adhere to the unitary assemblies; and - making said covering (4) substantially adhere to the unitary assemblies (3) by exposure of the package (5) to the heat flow. 3. A method as claimed m claim 1 or 2, characterized m that the step of protecting the heat-deformable portion (2a) comprises the sub-step of wetting the heat- deformable portion (2a) at least partly. 4. A method as claimed m claim 3, characterized m that the step of wetting the heat-deformable portion (2a) comprises the sub-step of spraying a liquid jet onto the heat-deformable portion (2a) . 5. A method as claimed m claim 4, characterized m that the step of wetting the deformable portion with said liquid jet involves use of a preferably micronized, atomized water jet. 6. A method as claimed m claim 4, characterized m that the step of wetting the deformable portion (2a) further comprises the sub-step of pressurizing the liquid jet prior to the step of spraying the liquid jet onto the heat-deformable portion (2a) . 7. A method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the steps of handling the containers (1) along the feed direction (6) towards the first station (7) carrying out the step of engaging the containers (1,, engaging at least two containers ι,l) by the interconnecting element (2), handling at least two unitary assemblies (3) towards the second station (8) carrying out tne step of engaging the unitary assemblies (3), engaging at least two unitary assemblies (3) by means of the covering (4) of heat- sensitive material, handling the package (5) towards the final station (10) carrying out the step of making the covering (4) adhere to the unitary assemblies (3), and making said covering (4) substantially adhere to the unitary assemblies (3 by exposure of the package (5) to the heat flow, are successive m time. 8. A methoα as claimed m claim 7, characterized m that the steo of protecting the heat-deformable portion (2a) takes place at least simultaneously with the step of making the covering (- adhere to the unitary assemblies (3) . 9. A method as claimed n claim 7, characterized in that the step of protecting the heat-deformable portion (2a) takes place at least subsequently to the step of engaging at least two unitary assemblies with the covering (4) of heat-sensitive material. 10. A method as claimed m anyone of the preceding claims, characterized _n that the heat-deformable portion (2a) comprises at ..east two side surfaces of the interconnecting element (2) extending between the two containers (1) m a direction preferably substantially parallel to the feed direction (6) . 11. A method as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of wetting the heat-deformable portion (2a) is accomplished by use of at least one sprayer (II) oriented transversely of the feed direction (6) and operatively active on the heat- deformable portion (2a). 12. A method as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the step of wetting the heat deformable portion (2a) is emboαied by use of at least two sprayers (11) oriented transversely of the feed direction (6) on opposite sides with respect to the package (5) and operatively active on the heat-deformable portion (2a) . 13. A method as claimed m claim 1, characterized m that the step of protecting the heat-deformable portion (2a) against the heat flow comprises the sub-step of arranging a protection element (12) associated with the final station (10) whicn is operatively active at least on the heat-deformable portion (2a) to intercept the heat flow striking on said heat-deformable portion (2a) at least partly . 14. A method as claimed in claim 13, characterized m that said protection element (12) has a plate-like body disposed close to the heat-deformable portion (2a) and oriented m a direction substantially parallel to the feed direction (6) . 15. A method as claimed in claim 13, cnaracteπzed in that the step of protecting the deformable portion (2a) further comprises the step of deflecting the heat flow striking on the heat-deformable portion (2a) by use of deflecting means (13) operatively active on the heat flow to prevent indirect interactions between the heat flow and the heat-deformable portion (2a). 16. A method as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that said deflecting means (13) comprises deflecting fins (14) extending from opposite sides of the edge of the protection element (12) and oriented m an oblique direction with respect to the feed direction (6) to cut the heat flow, in particular the conductive and/or radiating heat flow. 17. A method as claimed m claim 15, characterized m that the step of deflecting tne incident heat flow comprises the sub-step of blowing air against the heat- deformaole portion (2a) to a lower temperature than that of the heat flow. 18. A method as claimed m claim 17, characterized in that tne sub-step of blowing a r to a lower temperature tnan that of the heat flow is accomplished by means of blowing nozzles (15) the working axis of which is oriented m a direction substantially falling on the heat-αeformable portion (2a) to cut the heat flow, in particular the convective heat flow. 19. A method as claimed m claim 17, characterized in that the sub-step of blowing air to a lower temperature than that of the heat flow is accomplished by means of at least one central diffuser (16) formed m the middle of the protection element (12) and having its working axis oπenteα in a direction substantially perpendicular to the heat-deformable portion (2a) to cut the heat flow, m particular the convective heat flow. 20. f method as claimed m anyone of the preceding claims, characterized m that the step of engaging at least two containers (1) is accomplished by use of a film of elastically extensible plastic material defined by a tubular band adapted to surround and press said containers (1) disposed m mutual side by side relationship at side portions of the containers (1) themselves. 21. A method as claimed m anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the last station (10) is an oven. 22. Bundling up of containers, m particular for drinks, comprising : - at least two containers ( 1 ) ; - at least one interconnecting element (2) associated with said containers < l ι , said containers (1) defining a unitary assembly x 3) m cooperation ιt said interconnecting element (2); and - a covering (4) of heat-sensitive material substantially adhering to said unitary assembly (3), characterized m that said bundling up is put into practice by the method as claimed m anyone of the preceding claims. 23. Bundling up as claimed m claim 22, characterized m that it further comprises at least one second unitary assembly (3), said covering (4> being substantially adherent to at least two unitary assemblies (3) and defining a package (5) in cooperation therewith. 24. Bundling up as claimed m claim 22 or 23, characterized m that the interconnecting element (2) comprises a film of elastically extensible or adhesive plastic material defined by a tubular band adapted to surround and press said containers (1) disposed in mutual side by side relationship at side portions of the containers (1) themselves. 25. Bundling up as claimed m claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the interconnecting element (2) comprises a ribbon-like element having at least one adhesive surface adapted to surround and press said containers (1) disposed in mutual side by side relationship at side portions of the containers (1) themselves . 26. Bundling up as claimed m claim 24 or 25, characterized in tnat the interconnecting element (2) comprises a neat-de ormable portion (2a) defined by parts of the interconnecting element (2) that are not m direct contact with the containers (1) . 27. Bundling up as claimed m anyone of claims 22 to 26, characterized m that it further comprises a transport handle (17) comprising a ribbon having a central portion for manual grasping ana end portions linked to the interconnecting element (2) at symmetrically opposite regions of the latter and to the containers (1) arranged at the end positions.

Inventors: BONELLI MAURO, DANOVARO ENRICO, BONELLI, MAURO, DANOVARO, ENRICO
Applicants: BONELLI MAURO, DANOVARO ENRICO, DECOPACK S R L, BONELLI, MAURO, DANOVARO, ENRICO, DECOPACK S.R.L.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B65B53
IPC codes: B65B11, B65B21, B65D71