Method and apparatus used to close external cardboard packagings

A method for closing the top side of external cardboard packagings (1), comprising:

• positioning at least two external cardboard packagings (1) as group (50) directly contiguous to each other or slightly spaced apart such that a first top closing flap of a first external cardboard packaging (1) of the group (50) is located contiguous to or slightly spaced apart from a second top closing flap of a second external cardboard packaging (1) of the group (50), wherein each external cardboard packagings (1) comprise two top closing flaps (3, 4) located opposite each other and foldable over approximately horizontal first fold edges (40), with the side edges (42) of the closing flaps (3, 4) in each instance being connected to each other via two fold-in flaps (5, 6), wherein the fold-in flaps (5, 6) each comprise approximately horizontal second fold edges (60) and third fold edges (7) formed diagonal thereto,
• pressing in the fold-in flaps (5, 6) of each of the at least two external cardboard packagings (1) of the group (50) with at least two folding devices (23) that are advanceable toward each and folding the fold-in flaps (5,6) on their particular second fold edges (60) and third fold edges (7), causing the top closing flaps (3, 4) to fold down.