Device and Method for Producing Bundles of Individual Packages

An apparatus for forming a package assembly that comprises containers that have been wrapped in a paper blank that comprises tabs that project past said containers, wherein said tabs comprise a lower tab that is coplanar with a transport plane along which said package assembly is moved, said apparatus comprising a folding unit and a transport unit that transports said package assembly on said transport plane towards said folding unit, wherein said folding unit comprises a first folding-device for folding said lower tab, said first folding-device comprising plates for folding said lower tab, said plates being arranged on both sides of said transport unit, wherein said plates are movable along said transport unit, wherein said plates are adjustable so as to be brought into engagement with said lower tab by movement towards said package assembly, and wherein said plates are displaceable in a direction that is perpendicular to said transport plane.

A method comprising producing a bundle of individual liquid containers by introducing a package assembly in which a group of liquid containers is wrapped in a paper blank, wherein producing said bundle comprises using a transport unit to transport said package assembly in a transport direction along a transport plane through a wrapping unit and a folding unit, wrapping said package assembly with said blank, thereby forming tabs that project over said package assembly in a direction transverse to said transport direction, and attaching said tabs to said package assembly, wherein said tabs include a lower tab that is coplanar with said transport plane, front and rear tabs that are perpendicular to said transport plane, and an upper tab that is parallel to and above said transport plane, wherein attaching said tabs comprises bringing said lower tab into contact with said package assembly, bringing said front and rear tabs into contact with said lower tab and in contact with said package assembly, and bringing said upper tab into contact with said lower tab, said front and rear tabs, and said package assembly.