Method and packaging device for producing packaging units, and application head for corresponding use

A method for producing packaging units (10) of at least two articles (12) held together by at least one packaging blank (14), comprising:

• transferring a flat packaging blank (14), from a supply, by an application head (60) to an article grouping (20) held ready,
• applying the packaging blank (14) to an upper end face of the article grouping (20), producing a mechanical connection between the packaging blank (14) and the article grouping (20),
• with at least one application unit (62) comprising folding elements (88), folding over at least one foldable portion (24) of the packaging blank (14), that projects beyond an upper side of the article grouping (20) and for placing it the at least one foldable portion (24) against a side surface (26) of the article grouping (20),
• lifting the application head (60) from the article grouping (20), and
• removing the application head (60) from the article grouping (14).

A packaging apparatus for producing packaging units (10), comprising at least two articles (12), which at least two articles (12) are held together by at least one packaging blank (14), and which packaging apparatus at least comprises:

• a conveyor, a transport section (128), or a provision position for conveying grouped articles (12) or for providing the grouped articles (12),
• an application device for equipping the article groupings (20) with at least one packaging blank (14) each, wherein the application device comprises at least one controllable application head (60) movable within a defined movement space,
• wherein the application head (60) is capable of equipping at least one article grouping (20), located within the movement space or moving there, with a packaging blank (14) and applying this blank to the article grouping (20),
• wherein the application head (60) comprises controllable devices for receiving, holding, and releasing the packaging blanks (14), and
• wherein the application head (60) comprises controllable tools for producing a mechanical connection between each article grouping (20) and the packaging blank (14) applied thereto, and wherein one controllable tool comprises folding elements (88) for folding over at least one foldable portion (24) of the packaging blank (14), that projects beyond an upper side of the article grouping (20), of the packaging blank (14) and for placing the at least on foldable portion against a side surface (26) of the article grouping (20).