Patent ID: 7743587

Claim:
A method for formation of mixed packages of containers, in which at least one container contains a product different from a product contained in at least one other container, from single-variety packages of containers, in which each of the containers contains same product, said method comprising: moving said single-variety packages containing groups of containers to an unpacking area; unpacking containers from said single-variety packages; moving unpacked containers to a storing area; storing unpacked containers in lines, wherein the containers in each of said lines contain one type of product, and wherein the containers in at least one of said lines contain products of a type different from products contained in the containers in at least one other of said lines; and one of (A) and (B): (A) removing at least one stored container containing a first type of product and substantially simultaneously removing at least one other stored container containing a second type of product different from the first type of product, and transporting the removed containers to a setup section to form mixed packages of containers; and (B) removing at least one stored container containing a first type of product and transporting the removed containers containing the first type of product to a setup section, and then subsequently removing at least one other stored container containing a second type of product different from the first type of product and transporting the removed containers containing the second type of product to a setup section to form mixed packages of containers.