Method and apparatus for forming packs of articles

Claim 1

A method for forming and fillng packs of articles, comprising the steps of : forming a multiple unit in the shape of an elongate member having a plurality of corresponding receptacle parts and receptacle closing parts formed in one common piece, the receptacle parts being a row of recesses in the elongate member and the receptacle closing parts being foldable against the receptacle parts along a common folding line, the receptacle parts and closing parts being connected in registered alignment with one another and positioned side by side so as to form adjacent rows of same parts extending from end to end of the elongate member, the length of the elongate member being a multiple of the width of a finished pack; pressing a row of male parts and a row of female parts out of the elongate member at corresponding positions such that upon folding the elongate member along the folding line the male parts are engaged in the female parts for holding the receptacle parts and closing parts together; positively positioning each elongate member in an apparatus including location means of corresponding shape, for the purpose of filling the elongate member with articles, with all recesses of the receptacle parts facing upwards; filling all the receptacle parts of the elongate member with articles in one operation; prior to closing the receptacle parts, forming a sheet member of length corresponding to the elongate member and having openings located to correspond to the male parts and the female parts, and bringing the sheet member against the elongate member over one of the receptacle parts or closing parts; closing all receptacle parts in the elongate member in one operation using the apparatus, by positioning the connected closing parts of the member over the recesses of the respective receptacle parts, when folding said closing parts to a position over the receptacle parts, the sheet member being held between the receptacle parts and the closing parts, the male parts and female parts engaging through the openings in the sheet member; and thereafter, dividing the elongate member into separate packs by laterally separating the elongate member and the sheet member along predetermined lines.

Claim 2

A method for forming and fillng packs of articles, comprising the steps of : forming a multiple unit in the shape of an elongate member having a plurality of corresponding receptacle parts and receptacle closing parts formed in one common piece, the receptacle parts being a row of recesses in the elongate member and the receptacle closing parts being foldable against the receptacle parts along a common folding line, the receptacle parts and closing parts being connected in registered alignment with one another and positioned side by side so as to form adjacent rows of same parts extending from end to end of the elongate member, the length of the elongate member being a multiple of the width of a finished pack; pressing a row of male parts and a row of female parts out of the elongate member at corresponding positions such that upon folding the elongate member along the folding line the male parts are engaged in the female parts for holding the receptacle parts and closing parts together; positively positioning each elongate member in an apparatus including location means of corresponding shape, for the purpose of filling the elongate member with articles, with all recesses of the receptacle parts facing upwards; filling all the receptacle parts of the elongate member with articles in one operation; prior to closing the receptacle parts, forming a sheet member of length corresponding to the elongate member and having openings located to correspond to the male parts and the female parts, and bringing the sheet member against the elongate member over one of the receptacle parts or closing parts; closing all receptacle parts in the elongate member in one operation using the apparatus, by positioning the connected closing parts of the member over the recesses of the respective receptacle parts, when folding said closing parts to a position over the receptacle parts, the sheet member being held between the receptacle parts and the closing parts, the male parts and female parts engaging through the openings in the sheet member; and thereafter, dividing the elongate member into separate packs by laterally separating the elongate member and the sheet member along predetermined lines.