JP4053000B2 - Carrier for can, cardboard semi-finished product for can carrier and method for assembling cardboard semi-finished product - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a carrier of cardboard, preferably corrugated cardboard, for connecting a plurality of generally cylindrical cans (4), being disposed in at least two rows and having an inclined upper part and a top closure (6) with a projecting circular rim (8). The carrier (31) is produced from a plane blank (32), having, for each can to be connected by the carrier, two mutually opposing, essentially arcuate slits (44, 45), the outer edges of which engage below the rim (8) of the cans when the carrier is assembled on the plurality of cans to connect the carrier and the cans and form a package assembly. Gripping recesses (42), adapted to be gripped by fingers to lift and handle the package assembly, are centrally disposed in the carrier blank (32) between the rows of cans (4), and a bowl-shaped indentation (66) is formed centrally in the carrier (31) between said gripping recesses (42) and the rows of cans (4). The invention also relates to a plane blank for a carrier of cardboard and a method to assemble a plane blank of cardboard.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cardboard, preferably for connecting a plurality of generally cylindrical cans arranged in at least two rows and having an upper closure with an inclined upper part and a protruding circular rim. Corrugated cardboard carrier. The carrier is manufactured from a planar semi-finished product and has two opposed essentially arcuate slits for each can connected by the carrier, the outer edge of which the carrier is assembled on multiple cans When engaged, it engages below the can rim to connect the carrier and can to form a package assembly.

  The invention also relates to a cardboard flat semi-finished product for a can carrier and a method for assembling a cardboard flat semi-finished product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cylindrical cans are used in the beverage industry for beverages such as mineral water, beer and soft drinks. To carry multiple cans, a package assembly is provided, which can include from 2 to 10 cans. For example, many different types of package assemblies are provided so that consumers can lift and handle multiple cans.

  Plastic materials are used as package assembly means, for example, in the form of plastic film wraps that extend around packaged cans or in the form of interconnected plastic rings that are applied around the cans. However, these package assembly means are expensive and cause environmental problems. Therefore, because of both environmental and commercial advantages, other types of can carriers made from cardboard have been introduced. Combinations of plastic and cardboard materials are also used as package assembly means.

  Given the widespread use of package assemblies for beverages and the large number of cans sold in these packages or assemblies, the cost of individual packages, including material costs and assembly costs, is Is an important factor in the cost of the assembled assembly. Therefore, relatively small changes in the cost of package assembly are also very important. In addition, it is important that the package contents are clearly visible and can be identified within the package assembly.

  One type of cardboard carrier configured as a so-called wrap-around that extends around a banderole or group of cans is frequently used, for example, US-A -3,194,476. This wraparound carrier is expensive and complex to apply around cans in a continuously operating production line. It is also disadvantageous that the contents of the package cannot be easily identified by the consumer.

Other types of cardboard carriers are known which are applied to the upper side of a group of containers and adapted to be connected to the containers. This type of carrier is described, for example, in US-A-3,094,210. This carrier is made from a flat cardboard semi-finished product with two opposing U-shaped slits for each container connected by the carrier. Planar semi-finished products are assembled on top of a group of containers by folding the side flanges down toward the container side so that the outer edge of the carrier slit engages below the container shoulder. . However, a corresponding additional carrier must be applied to the bottom of the container to prevent the edges of the slit from coming off the shoulder following the mutual movement between the containers. The above-mentioned carrier can only be used for a single row of containers and is disadvantageous in that it is expensive due to material costs and the complexity of assembling the two-piece carrier. A further disadvantage is that the flange on the side of the carrier that protrudes downward along the side of the container is more likely to be captured by the package assembly or other elements, and that the flange is pushed upwards and the edge of the slit disengages from the shoulder of the container. is there.

  A similar carrier for cans is disclosed in EP-B-0 396 807. The carrier includes two opposing arcuate slits for each can and a short cut extending radially from the slit. A plurality of flaps formed between the cuts engage below the protruding neck of the can. Flaps for gripping are provided on each side of the carrier and are adapted to bend when the carrier with the can is gripped and lifted by the user. The disclosed carrier has been found to be inadequate to securely engage the carrier with the can, particularly when a lifting force is applied to the grip recess on the side of the carrier. The carrier has a fold line aligned in the center, which acts as a “hinge” when a lifting force is applied to the grip recess on the opposite side of the carrier, and the can tends to separate and detach from the carrier. become. Furthermore, the lifting force pushes the side flaps upward, further increasing the risk of the carrier coming off the can.

Basic concept of the invention The object of the present invention is to provide a carrier for a plurality of cans arranged in at least two rows, which can connect, lock and support the cans tightly together with the cans. The solution is to provide a package assembly that can be lifted and handled without risk of dislodgement, and the material is effective and easily and effectively applied to multiple cans.

  According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for assembling the above-mentioned carrier for cans, cardboard semi-finished products and cardboard semi-finished products with the features defined in the claims.

According to the invention, the grip recesses are arranged between the rows of cans, and a ball-shaped recess is formed between the grip recesses of the carrier and the rows of cans. Planar semi-finished products have a central part that is intended to be accommodated between rows of cans in an assembled state, since this portion is slightly wider than the actual spacing between rows of cans. When the carrier is assembled on the cans, recesses are formed between the rows of cans. Since the assembled carrier according to the present invention is stiffened by a ball-shaped recess disposed in the center, the can is stably supported in the carrier. The lifting force applied to the grip recesses between the rows of cans is distributed in the direction of the engagement tongues of the inner slits, increasing the abutment pressure on and below the can rim. In forming a ball-shaped recess in the center of the flat semi-finished product, the outer slit engaging tongue that abuts the can rim is pushed toward the center of the package assembly, and the outer slit engaging tongue can rim The pressure on the carrier increases and the connection of the carrier to the can increases. By these means, a stable and secure connection of the cans in the carrier is realized. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the opposing arcuate slits for each can connected by the carrier include an arcuate middle section between the two arcuate end sections. Since the middle section is formed radially inward of the arcuate end section of the slit, the engaging tongue is formed in the middle section of the slit. The engaging tongue slides over the protruding rim of the can when the side panel and center part of the semi-finished product is pushed toward the inclined side of the can and fits under the rim to secure the carrier to the can And adapted to lock effectively. The curve of the engagement tongue is completely along the curve of the can, and the deflection of the end sections of the slit and the resulting tension in these sections tightens the engagement tongue to provide a firm and stable connection.

  The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in the following description of embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings.

  The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments of the Invention The carrier according to the invention is manufactured from flat cardboard semi-finished products, preferably from corrugated cardboard. It is preferred to use thin and dense F-flute corrugated cardboard. However, thicker E-flute corrugated cardboard may also be a suitable material for this carrier. To minimize the effect of moisture on the material, corrugated cardboard may be coated with a plastic layer, preferably the coating is on the inside. Not only does the plastic layer improve the resistance of the material to moisture, but this layer also improves the ductility of the material. Even with a plastic coating, the benefits of eco-friendly corrugated cardboard remain. This is because the plastic material of the coating layer can be recycled.

  FIG. 1 shows a flat cardboard semi-finished product 32 for a carrier according to an embodiment of the invention. The carrier is adapted to connect and hold a plurality of cans 4 arranged in two rows, as shown in FIG. In the illustrated embodiment, the semi-finished product 32 is adapted for six cans 4 and is shown in the assembled state in FIGS. The can 4 does not form part of the present invention and is a conventional design with an essentially cylindrical basic shape. The upper part of the can is inclined slightly and is closed by an upper closure 6, which is sealed by a protruding circular rim 8.

  The planar semi-finished product 32 has an essentially rectangular basic shape and has a recessed corner or bevel to reduce the risk that a protruding portion of the carrier may be trapped by an adjacent element, such as another package assembly, for example. Preferably, the corner 10 is provided. At least two grip recesses 42 are arranged in the center of the semi-finished product between the rows of cans 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the grip recess 42 is formed as an oval opening that can be grasped firmly with two fingers to lift and handle the package assembly with two fingers. However, the grip recess 42 may be formed in a circular shape or a different shape, and may be provided with a foldable flap 43 as shown in FIG. The foldable flap 43 is adapted to be folded back between the cans to provide a lifting edge that is reinforced and easy to grip with the fingers in the grip recess 42. In FIG. 2, the foldable flap 43 is folded under the carrier between the cans.

  For each can 4 connected by a carrier 31, two opposed essentially arcuate slits 44, 45 are arranged in the semi-finished product 32. Each pair of slits preferably includes an outer slit 44 having a first configuration and an inner slit 45 adjacent to the center line 34 between the rows of cans having a second configuration.

The outer slit 44 of each pair of slits consists of an arcuate middle section 16 with arcuate end sections 18 on both sides. A stepped portion 20 is disposed between the intermediate section 16 and the end section 18. Since the arcuate end section 18 is partially circular and its radius is equal to or slightly larger than the radius of the protruding rim of the upper closure 6, in the assembled state, the end section 18 is As shown in FIG. 2, it is aligned with the edge of the shoulder 8 or slightly protrudes outward therefrom. The outer edge of the slit 44 can be easily displaced downwardly over the rim 8 along the end section 18 as will be described in more detail later.

  Since the arcuate intermediate section 16 of the slit 44 is formed radially inward of the elongated arcuate end section 18 of the slit, the intermediate section is an arch formed by the extension of the two end sections 18. An arcuate edge is formed inside the shape line. Thus, the arcuate edge of the intermediate section 16 with the stepped end portion 20 forms a protruding engaging tongue 22 that is directed towards the center of the semi-finished product. As described above, the engaging tongue 22 is arcuate and may be partially circular, with its radius corresponding to the radius of the can just below the rim. The engagement tongue 22 may have a different arcuate shape, for example, the arc may be partially circular and “wide”. The engaging tongue 22 has a large radius and the center does not coincide with the center of the can when the carrier is assembled. The engaging tongue fits under the protruding rim 8 of the can 4 and is adapted to connect and lock the can to the carrier, as will be described in detail later.

  The inner slit 45 differs from the outer slit 44 primarily in the design of the intermediate section 46, except that the arcuate end section 48 is smaller than the corresponding end section 18 of the outer slit 44. As a result, the inner section 46 of the inner slit is larger than the corresponding intermediate section 16 of the outer slit 44.

  The intermediate section 46 of the inner slit 45 has at least one, in the illustrated embodiment, two radially extending cuts 47. The notch 47 extends between the end section 48 and between the arcuate fold line 53 that defines the engagement tongue between the stepped portions 50 and the edge of the slit 45. The notch 47 divides the engagement tongue into three engagement flaps 52. The curve of the intermediate section 46 of the slit 45 is different from the curve of the arcuate fold line 53 in that it is wider than the fold line 53 and has a larger radius. As a result, since the height of the engagement flap 52 changes, as shown in FIG. 1, it becomes higher at the center of the engagement tongue and continuously lowers toward the end of the engagement tongue. The arcuate fold line 53 is configured to accommodate the curvature of the contact line on the canted surface, as will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of folding lines are further arranged on the semi-finished product 32. For each row of cans, three longitudinal fold lines 54 run parallel to the longitudinal side 56 of the semi-finished product and the row of cans. Two of the three longitudinal fold lines 54 connect the ends of the arcuate slits 44, 45 to each other or to the adjacent short side 58 of the semi-finished product, and the third fold line 54 is The stepped portions 20 of the outer slit 44 are connected to each other or to the adjacent short side 58 of the semi-finished product. Furthermore, a plurality of fold lines 55 are arranged in the central part of the semi-finished product, said fold lines being oblique in the illustrated embodiment and arranged between rows of semi-finished cans. The diagonal fold line 55 connects the outer engagement flap 52 to the adjacent grip recess 42 or to the adjacent short side 58 of the semi-finished product. Planar semi-finished parts 62, 64 are formed between the oblique fold line 55, the arcuate fold line 53 and the grip recess 42 or the side edge 58 of the semi-finished product. Referring to FIG. 1, the width b of the portions 62, 64 extending between a pair of adjacent arcuate fold lines 53 is such that, as will be described in detail later, the can inclined surface in the assembled state of the carrier. 3 which extends between the contact lines of the upper adjacent arcuate fold lines 53, slightly larger than the spacing a in FIG.

  In the preferred embodiment, the flat semi-finished product 32 is made of corrugated cardboard, the direction of the flute of corrugated material (marked by the double arrow 65 in FIG. 1) is the direction of the engaging tongues 22, 52 Punched from corrugated material to match. This orientation of the flute allows the engaging tongue to withstand the maximum compressive force.

  The size of the outer half of the planar semi-finished product 32, i.e., the length and width of the semi-finished product, is such that the side edge of the assembled carrier with the side panel 60 folded toward the can inclined surface is the group of cans. Is selected so as not to exceed the maximum outside size of. As a result, the risk of unintentional removal of the carrier from the can due to upward forces on the side panels or other parts of the semi-finished product is greatly reduced.

  A plurality of cans 4 arranged in two rows are connected and held together by a carrier 31 within the package assembly, as shown in FIGS. In forming the carrier shown in FIG. 2 from the planar semi-finished product 32 of FIG. 1, the planar semi-finished product is first superimposed on a group of cans. The essentially circular part of the semi-finished product arranged between the opposing slits 44, 45 is carried by and covers the upper closure 6, so that the semi-finished slits 44, 45 as a whole protrude from the can. Match the rim. Next, pressure is applied to the planar semi-finished product.

  First, pressure is applied to the outside of the group of cans against the side panel 60, pushing the panel downward. Due to the downward pressure, the semi-finished product 32 is folded at the folding line 54. As shown in FIG. 3, the side panel 60 is bent in two stages along a parallel fold line 54 toward the inclined surface of the upper portion of the can 4. The arcuate end section 18 of the outer slit 44 is displaced downwardly beyond the can rim 8 and the protruding engaging tongue 22 is directed slightly upward. Thus, the arcuate end section of the slit 44 crosses the protruding rim 8 outward and the engagement tongue 22 slips and fits under the rim 8 to connect and lock the carrier to the can. Since the arcuate engagement tongue 22 is formed to fit the cylindrical curvature of the can 4, the entire tongue 22 is carried on the surface of the can below the rim 8 and is connected to the upper closure 6 of the carrier 1. The clamping force resulting from the tension distributed on the carrier along the outer edge of the end section 18 of the slit from the contact pressure is exerted so that the carrier and the can are firmly and stably connected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the upper planar part of the assembled carrier covers the upper part of the can 4, ie the upper closure 6, so that these parts are protected from contamination during transport and storage. .

In a subsequent assembly step, it is preferred that a special pressing tool with individually spring mounted rolls applies pressure to the center 34 of the semi-finished product, in particular the parts 62,64. The pressure is preferably applied at some point on the semi-finished product, but it preferably extends in the longitudinal direction and pushes the parts 62, 64 downward. Due to the pressure, the semi-finished product is folded at the longitudinal inner fold line 54 so that the outer edge of the inner slit 45 is displaced downwardly beyond the can rim 8. Further, the semi-finished product 32 is folded at an oblique folding line 55 and an arcuate folding line 53. As downward pressure is applied, the arcuate fold line 53 is pressed against the inclined surface of the can and the engagement flap 52 is folded upward and fits under the can rim and enters the locked position. A downward pressure is applied to the central portions 62, 64 between the pair of cans, and ball-shaped recesses 66, 68 are formed between the oblique fold line 55 and the arcuate fold line 53. FIG. 4 shows that the bottom level of each ball-shaped recess 66, 68 is formed in the middle between each pair of cans and the upper level of the ball is formed at the edge of the grip recess 42. The level of the ball-shaped recess 68 at the edge of the carrier 31 is slightly lower than the upper level at the edge of the grip recess 42. The ball-shaped depressions 66, 68 are obtained by the larger width b of the semi-finished central parts 62, 64, the height of the engaging tongue decreasing towards the end, and the oblique fold line 55. In this assembly step, i.e. when the ball-shaped recesses 66, 68 are formed, the spacing between the slits 44 on the outside of the carrier is slightly narrowed. As a result, the pressure of the engaging tongue 22 against the rim 8 is increased by the clamping force from the central portions 62,64. Through this assembly step, the can 4 is securely and stably engaged by the carrier and held and supported by the package assembly.

  When the carrier 31 of FIG. 2 loaded with a heavy can 4 filled with liquid is lifted by holding the grip dent 42 with two fingers, the carrier is subjected to a lifting force L between the rows of cans. The central portion of the carrier is stiffened by the ball-shaped recesses 66, 68 of the portions 62, 64 between the rows of cans 4. By stiffening the central part of the carrier, these parts are prevented from being pushed up by the upward lifting force L and the tongue coming off the can. Unlike the prior art carriers where the carrier tends to disengage from the can due to the lifting force, the lifting force L of the carrier according to the present invention is partially converted into a force that presses the can together (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The lifting force L at the grip recess 42 is distributed in the direction of the oblique fold line 55 and is partially converted to increase the pressure of the engagement flap 52 on the rim 8, so that the can It is stably held by the carrier and firmly connected. The ball-shaped recesses of the carrier according to the invention, the grip recess provided in the center of the row of cans and the protruding arch-shaped engaging tongues connect the cans stably and firmly and stiffen the assembled carrier. The lifting force is converted to increase the engagement pressure, and the tightening of the carrier is also increased, making it difficult for the can in the carrier to move.

  FIG. 5 is a second exemplary embodiment of a cardboard semi-finished product for a carrier for two rows of four cans. Opposite pairs of semi-finished slits 44, 45 and fold lines for each can connected by a carrier may be arranged in a manner corresponding to the semi-finished product shown in FIG. Two grip recesses 42 are arranged in the semi-finished product. One grip recess 42 is formed as an oval opening with a foldable flap 43 and is located in the center of the semi-finished product between the rows of cans. The other grip recess 42 is arranged in the center of the edge of the semi-finished product and is formed as an open recess with a foldable flap 43. In a third embodiment of the invention (not shown), the semi-finished product is adapted for two cans arranged in two rows, as shown in FIGS. In this embodiment, there are two grip dents, both of which are located in the center of the opposite edges of the semi-finished product and are formed as open cavities, similar to the grip dent 42 of FIG.

  According to the present invention, the semi-finished product can be effectively assembled on the can on the automatic production line. However, the semi-finished product can be effectively assembled even in a semi-automatic line or a package line, and it is convenient to manually assemble the semi-finished product into a package assembly.

  It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and that several variations of the invention are possible within the scope of the claims.

FIG. 4 is a view of a flat cardboard semi-finished product for a can carrier according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the carrier is adapted for two rows of six cans. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a package assembly including a carrier with six cans, the carrier being manufactured from the cardboard semi-finished product of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the package assembly of FIG. 2 taken along line III-III. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the package assembly of FIG. 2 taken along line IV-IV. FIG. 6 is a plan cardboard semi-finished product for a can carrier according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the carrier is adapted for two rows of four cans.

Claims (22)

Cardboard, preferably corrugated, for connecting a generally cylindrical can (4) with at least two rows and an upper closure (6) with an inclined upper part and a protruding circular rim (8) Cardboard carrier, wherein the carrier (31) is manufactured from a planar semi-finished product (32) and for each can connected by the carrier, two opposed essentially arcuate slits (44) 45), the outer edge of which engages below the rim (8) of the can when the carrier is assembled on the plurality of cans, To form a package assembly,
A grip recess (42) adapted to be grasped with a finger to lift and handle the package assembly is located in the center of the carrier semi-finished product (32) between the rows of cans (4) and is ball-shaped. Carrier, characterized in that a recess (66) is formed in the middle between the grip recess (42) and the row of cans (4).   A ball-shaped recess (68) is formed in the center of the carrier (31) between the grip recess (42) and the carrier semi-finished product (32) and between the rows of cans (4). The carrier according to claim 1.   The arcuate slit (44, 45) includes an arcuate intermediate section (16, 46) and two arcuate end sections (18, 48) on each side thereof, the intermediate section (16, 46) comprising: The carrier according to claim 2, characterized in that it is formed radially inward of the extended arcuate end section (18, 48).   The intermediate section (16, 46) forms an arcuate engaging tongue (22, 52) projecting inwardly between the end sections (18, 48), the tongue being assembled with the carrier The bottom of the rim (8) of the can in an engaged state and adapted to connect the carrier (1, 31) and the can (4). 3. The carrier according to 3.   An oblique fold line (55) is disposed between the rows of the cans (4) of the carrier semi-finished product (32), and the oblique fold line (55) is associated with each of the inner arcuate slits (45). 5. A carrier according to claim 4, characterized in that the outer part of the tongue (52) is connected to an adjacent grip recess (42) or an adjacent side (58) of the semi-finished product (32).   The arcuate end sections (18, 48) of the inner and outer slits (44, 45) are circular and are equal to or slightly less than the radius of the circular rim (8) of the can The inner arcuate slits (45) of each pair of opposing slits (44, 45) are arcuate with a radius greater than the radius of the arcuate end section (48). 6. Carrier according to claim 5, characterized in that it has an intermediate section (46).   The arcuate middle section (46) of the inner slit (45) is radially bounded by an arcuate fold line (53) extending between the end sections (48) of the slit (45). A protruding engaging tongue (52, 52, 52) is formed, which is divided into at least two engaging flaps (52) by a defined and radially extending cut (47), said flap (52) being When the carrier (31) is assembled on the can (4), it is folded upward and carried on the inclined surface of the can (4) and below the rim (8) of the can The carrier according to claim 6, characterized in that it is adapted to engage.   The carrier according to claim 7, characterized in that the height of the engaging tongue of the inner slit (45) is greatest at the center of the tongue and decreases towards the end of the tongue.   The oblique fold line (55) extends between each outermost engaging tongue (52) and an adjacent grip recess (42) or an adjacent side (58) of the semi-finished product. The carrier according to claim 8.   A fold line (54) is provided on the carrier semi-finished product (32) and extends parallel to the side of the semi-finished product (56) and the row of cans (4), the fold line (54) The carrier according to claim 9, characterized in that the ends of the slits (44, 45) are connected to each other or to the adjacent side of the semi-finished product (32).   An additional fold line (54) is provided in the carrier semi-finished product (32) and extends parallel to the side (56) of the semi-finished product and the row of cans (4), the additional fold line (54) connects the stepped portions (20) of the outer slit (44) between the intermediate section (16) and the end section (18) to each other or on the adjacent side of the semi-finished product 11. Carrier according to claim 10, characterized in that it is connected to (58) to form an outer foldable side panel (60) along the row of cans (4).   The carrier according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two grip recesses (42) are provided between the rows of the cans (4).   13. Carrier according to claim 12, characterized in that the grip recess (42) is formed as a circular or elliptical opening in the carrier semi-finished product (32). A flat semi-finished product of cardboard, preferably corrugated cardboard, said semi-finished product being adapted to be assembled as a carrier for a plurality of generally cylindrical cans arranged in at least two rows, and said carrier For each can connected by a pair of two opposed essentially arcuate slits (44, 45),
A grip recess (42) is located in the middle of the carrier semi-finished product (32) between the pair of rows of slits (44, 45), and the arcuate slit (44, 45) is an arcuate intermediate section (16 , 45) and two arcuate end sections (18, 48) on each side thereof, said intermediate section (16, 46) being radially of the extended arcuate end section (18, 48) Formed inside ,
The arcuate middle section (46) of the inner slit (45) of each pair of the slits (44, 45) is an arcuate fold line (between the end sections of the slit (45)) ( 53) forming protruding engaging tongues (52, 52, 52) that are radially delimited by 53) and divided into at least two engaging flaps (52) by radially extending cuts (47) And
An oblique fold line (55) is disposed between the pair of slits (44, 45) of the carrier semi-finished product (32), and the oblique fold line (55) is provided for each of the inner slits (45). Planar semi-finished product , characterized in that the outer part of the engaging tongue (52) is connected to an adjacent grip recess (42) or an adjacent side (58) of said semi-finished product (32) . A fold line (54) is provided in the carrier semi-finished product (32) that extends parallel to the pair of the side (56) and the slits (44, 45) of the semi-finished product, the fold line being 15. A planar semi-finished product according to claim 14 , characterized in that the ends of the arcuate slits (44, 45) are connected to each other or to the adjacent side of the semi-finished product (32). An additional fold line (54) is provided in the carrier semi-finished product (32) extending parallel to the pair of rows (56) and the slits (44, 45) of the semi-finished product, and the additional A fold line (54) connects the stepped portions (20) between the intermediate section (16) and the end section (18) of each pair of the outer slits (44) to each other, or 16. Flat semi-finished product according to claim 15 , characterized in that it is connected to an adjacent side (58) of the semi-finished product. On a plurality of generally cylindrical cans (4) with at least two rows and an upper closure (6) with an inclined upper part and a protruding circular rim (8), cardboard, preferably A method for assembling a corrugated cardboard flat semi-finished product (32) as a carrier (31), said flat semi-finished product (32) facing two mutually opposite for each can connected by said carrier It includes essentially arcuate slits (44, 45) whose outer edges engage below the rim (8) of the can when the carrier is assembled on the cans. Intended to connect the carrier and the can to form a package assembly;
The planar semi-finished product (32) is superimposed on the plurality of cans (4),
Pressure is applied to two opposing side panels (60) on the semi-finished product (32), the panel is bent, and the outer edge of the outer slit (44) is displaced downward to Engaging under the rim (8) of the can (4);
Pressure is applied to the central part (62, 64) of the semi-finished product (32) between the rows of cans (4), and the outer edge of the inner slit (45) is displaced downward. Engaging the lower part of the rim (8) of the can (4), the central part (62) between the rows of cans (4) forming a ball-shaped recess (66), Method. Pressure is applied to the central portion (62, 64) of the semi-finished product (32) between the rows of cans (4), and there is a central portion (62, between each pair of cans (4). Method according to claim 17 , characterized in that pressure is applied to 64) and ball-shaped depressions (66, 68) are formed between each pair of said cans. Pressure is applied to a central part (62, 64) against the central part (62, 64) of the semi-finished product (32) between the rows of cans (4), the semi-finished product (32) A longitudinal fold line (54) extending between the ends of the inner slit (45) or to an adjacent side (48) of the semi-finished product, and an oblique fold line (of the central portion of the semi-finished product ( Method according to claim 18 , characterized in that it is folded at 55). Pressure is applied to the central portion (62, 64) of the semi-finished product (32) between the rows of cans (4), and the oblique fold line (55), the center of the semi-finished product or the semi-finished product An arcuately delimiting radial boundary between the grip recess (42) located at the end of the product side (48) and the engaging tongue (52, 52, 52) formed in the inner slit (45). 20. Method according to claim 19 , characterized in that pressure is applied to each central part (62, 64) of the semi-finished product delimited by a fold line (53). Pressure is applied to the central portion (62, 64) of the semi-finished product (32) between the rows of cans (4) and the arcuate fold line (53) is applied to the can (4). the pressed against the inclined surface, the engagement Goshita (52,52,52) is characterized by engaging bent upwardly to said lower rim (8) of the can, according to claim 20 The method described in 1. 22. The method according to claim 21 , wherein the pressure applied to the central part (62, 64) between the rows of cans (4) is applied by a pressure tool with a spring loaded roll.

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