WO2015169699A1

WO2015169699A1 - Improved secondary package

Info

Publication number: WO2015169699A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/059582
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carl NORDENSKJÖLD; Eric LUNDIN; Bengt HÅKANSSON; Göran DAHL; Paul Hayton; Thomas Waldner
Original assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Current assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Priority date: 2014-05-08
Filing date: 2015-04-30
Publication date: 2015-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2016-11-08
Also published as: WO2015169698A1

Abstract

A secondary package for retaining a plurality of primary packages in a predefined pattern, comprising: a main panel (3), the main panel (3) being separated by a weakened line (36) in longitudinal direction to form a plurality of main portions (3a, 3b, 3c), wherein said main panel contributes to a sturdiness of said plurality of primary packages such that stacking of said primary packages are facilitated.

Description

Improved Secondary Package

The present invention relates to a secondary package for retaining a plurality of primary packages in a predefined pattern. The present invention also relates to a beverage package assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Packages for beverages, such as fruit juices, still drinks and also dairy products or derivate thereof can be divided into portion packages and family packages. Those packages differ mainly by their respective volume size and consequently weight. Particularly, portion packs are available in different volumes ranging from about 80ml to several 100ml. Portion packages are nor^¬ mally consumed at once and due to their smaller volume suitable not only for adults, but also for children or teenager . Consumer buying portion packages are often looking for bundles of packages, as those are easier to carry and handle than separate individual packages. Consequently, packages are packed and bundled together using various method and approaches. This so called secondary packag- ing enables consumers to transport several individual packages .

FR 2737139 illustrates an arrangement of a batch of car^¬ ton packages of a brick type. WO 2009/024618 shows an example of carton packages of gable top style bundled together using a secondary package having a handle for easy transportation. Despite the huge variances of secondary packages for different purposes, there is still a need to further im^¬ prove secondary packaging. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect it is provided a secondary package for retaining a plurality of primary packages in a predefined pattern, comprising: a main panel, the main panel being separated by a weakened line in longitudinal direction to form a plurality of main portions, wherein said main panel contributes to a sturdiness of said plu^¬ rality of primary packages such that stacking of said primary packages are facilitated. The main panel may be arranged to be connected to a side of at least one of said primary packages, said side linking a top and a bottom of said at least one of pri^¬ mary packages. The main panel contributes to said sturdiness of said plurality of primary packages such that stacking of said primary packages are facilitated without damaging said plurality of packages. The secondary package may further comprise a top panel being separated from the main panel by a crease line.

The secondary package may further comprise a bottom panel being separated from the main panel by a crease line.

The secondary package may further comprise a cut-out.

According to a second aspect it is provided a beverage package assembly comprising: a plurality of primary packages arranged in a predefined pattern; a secondary package in operative connection with the plurality of primary packages to retain the plurality of primary packages in said predefined pattern; wherein the second^¬ ary package comprises a weakened line to enable separa^¬ tion of the plurality of primary packages into individu^¬ al primary packages; a plurality of main portions sepa^¬ rated by said weakened line.

Each of the plurality of main portions may face and be spaced apart from a main side of a respective one of the plurality of primary packages as to form respective pockets .

The beverage package assembly may further comprise a cut-out in each of the plurality of main portions to ac^¬ cess the respective pockets. The beverage package assembly may further comprise a plurality of straws arranged in the respective pockets.

The secondary package may comprise at least one of a bottom panel connected to a main panel comprising the plurality of main portions arranged on the bottom of the plurality of primary packages and a bottom end panel connected to the bottom panel and arranged on a back side of the plurality of primary packages. According to a third aspect it is provided a method for producing a beverage package assembly comprising a plu^¬ rality of primary packages arranged in a predefined pat^¬ tern; a secondary package in operative connection with the plurality of primary packages to retain the plurali^¬ ty of primary packages in said predefined pattern;

wherein the secondary package comprises a weakened line to enable separation of the plurality of primary packag- es into individual primary packages; a plurality of main portions separated by said weakened line, said method comprising: receiving said plurality of primary packages, and connecting said plurality of primary packages to said secondary package.

According to a fourth aspect it is provided a secondary package for retaining a plurality of primary packages in a predefined pattern, comprising: a main panel, wherein said main panel contributes to a sturdiness of said plu- rality of primary packages such that stacking of said primary packages are facilitated.

The main panel may be arranged to be connected to a side of at least one of said primary packages, said side linking a top and a bottom of said at least one of pri^¬ mary packages.

The secondary package may further comprise a top panel being separated from the main panel by a crease line.

The secondary package may further comprise a cut-out.

According to a fifth aspect it is provided a beverage package assembly comprising: a plurality of primary packages arranged in a predefined pattern; a secondary package in operative connection with the plurality of primary packages to retain the plurality of primary packages in said predefined pattern. The primary packages may be glued to said secondary package .

According to a sixth aspect it is provided a secondary package for retaining a primary package, said secondary package comprising: a main panel, wherein said main panel contributes to a sturdiness of said primary package such that stacking of primary packages are facilitated.

According to a seventh aspect it is provided a beverage package assembly comprising: a primary package; a sec^¬ ondary package in operative connection with the primary package; wherein said secondary package provides sturdi^¬ ness to said primary package. According to an eighth aspect it is provided a secondary package for retaining a primary package, said secondary package comprising: a main panel, wherein said main panel is arranged to form a pocket for retaining an item when being connected to said primary package.

According to a ninth aspect it is provided a beverage package assembly comprising: a primary package; a sec^¬ ondary package in operative connection with the primary package; wherein a pocket for retaining an item is formed between said secondary package and said primary package .

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will now be explained and disclosed in greater detail by way of example with the accompanying drawings in which

Fig 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a package assembly in accordance with the inven^¬ tion;

Fig 2 illustrates the front view of the first embodi^¬ ment ;

Fig 3 shows a side view of the first embodiment;

Fig 4 shows a top view of the package assembly according to the first embodiment;

Fig 5 illustrates a second embodiment according to the present invention;

Fig 6 illustrates the front view of a blank of the sec^¬ ondary package according to the second embodi^¬ ment ;

Fig 7 shows a cut view along the axis Z-Z of the embodi^¬ ment according to Fig 6;

Fig 8 illustrates a perspective view of the back side of the secondary package of the first embodiment.

Fig 9 illustrates a front view of the blank of the sec^¬ ondary package according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig 10 illustrates a front view of the blank of the sec^¬ ondary package according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

Fig 11 illustrates a front view of the blank of the sec^¬ ondary package according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

Fig 12 illustrates a front view of the blank of the sec^¬ ondary package according to yet another embodiment of the invention. In the figures and the corresponding detailed descrip^¬ tion, same references correspond to the same or similar features .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In fig 1 an example of a secondary package for retaining a plurality of primary packages in a predefined pattern is illustrated. The secondary package comprises a main panel, which is divided into several main portions by a weakened line in longitudinal direction. In this re^¬ spect, the term longitudinal direction refers to the di^¬ rection with longest dimension, often the height of the primary package to which the main side is later applied to. The secondary package also comprises a top and a bottom panel, both panels coupled to the main panel by a crease or bending line in lateral direction. In this re^¬ spect the term lateral direction refers to the direction corresponding to the width of the primary package to which the main panel is applied to.

The main portion of the secondary package now comprises two spacing elements in longitudinal direction arranged on a side of the main portion. The spacing elements have a predefined thickness and are spaced apart from each other, such that a gap is formed between the two spacing elements. Finally, the main panel also comprises a cut^¬ out extending from the crease line between the top panel and the main portion.

When arranging the secondary package and particular the main portion of the secondary package on a primary pack- age the two spacing elements form a pocket between them, the primary package and the main portion of the second^¬ ary package. The pocket enables a straw, spoon or any other item to be placed between the primary package and the secondary package.

In a further embodiment, the top and/or bottom panel may comprise in extension of the weakened line on the main panel a further weakened line as to form a plurality of top portions and/or bottom portions, respectively.

The weakened line, which may comprise a perforation, en^¬ ables a consumer to easily separate the secondary pack^¬ age into individual sub-packages, each of those compris- ing a main, top and bottom portion. The perforation supports rupturing the secondary package. In a further aspect, the weakened line may comprise one or more cutouts in extension to the weakened line. Such cut-outs may be adjacent to the crease line between the bottom panel and the main panel and/or the crease line between the top panel and the main panel.

The cut-out in the main portion enable a consumer to ac^¬ cess the pocket, when the main portion of the secondary package is attached to the primary package. In a further embodiment the top portion also comprises a cut-out. The cut-out is arranged on a position of the top panel, which is later arranged over an opening of the primary package, to which the secondary package is attached to. Hence, a consumer can access the opening of the primary package without separating the secondary package from the primary package. This will simplify use of the sec^¬ ondary package. In a further aspect, the cutout in the top panel is ad^¬ jacent to the cut out in the main panel. In other words, the cutout in the top and main panel form a common cut- out in the secondary package. Several shapes of such combined cut-outs are available providing not only ap^¬ pealing appearances, but also reducing the amount of pa^¬ per, while accessing opening on the primary package. Another aspect is related to the spacing or distance el^¬ ement arranged on the side of the main panel facing the primary package. In an embodiment, the two spacing ele^¬ ment are completely separated and spaced apart from each other along its longitudinal extension. In another em- bodiment, a spacing element of one main portion and a spacing element of an adjacent main portion form a single spacing element. Said common spacing element may comprise a weakened line directly adjacent to the weak^¬ ened line separating the one main portion and the adja- cent main portion. The weakened line in the spacing ele^¬ ment supports the separation of the different main por^¬ tions of the secondary package.

In another aspect of the invention, the secondary pack- age comprises a plurality of covers, each of the plural^¬ ity of covers sealing the cut-out of the main portion and/or the top portion. The cover may be transparent or made of transparent material. The cover may also be made of plastics. An area of the cover and an edge area adja- cent to the cut-out may overlap, so the cover may be fixed to the main portion and/or the top portion. In an embodiment the cover may be glued to the main and/or top portion. In another embodiment the cover may comprise and adhesive, so the cover is attached to the main por- tion and/or top portion.

In another embodiment, each of the covers may comprise a tab adapted to rupture the cover from at least the main portion to access the cut-out. The tab may be arranged on the main portion.

Another aspect of the invention is related to a beverage package assembly. The beverage assembly may be suitable for any kind of consumable liquids, like for example, juices, nectars, water, dairy products. The assembly comprises a plurality of primary packages arranged in a predefined pattern. The pattern may include a couple of primary packages arranged in a row individually of in pairs. A secondary package is in operative connection with the plurality of primary packages to retain the plurality of primary packages in said predefined pat^¬ tern . The secondary package comprises on a main panel one or more weakened lines to facilitate or enable separation of the plurality of primary packages into individual primary packages. The weakened lines divide the main panel of the secondary package in at least two main por- tions. Each of those main portions is facing a main side of a respective one of the primary packages. Further, the main portion and more precisely a sub-portion of the main is also spaced apart from the respective one of the plurality of primary packages, thereby forming a respec- tive pocket. A cut-out, opening or hole is provided in each of the main portions to access the respective pock^¬ et .

In accordance with the invention, the assembly comprises a plurality of straws arranged in the respective pock^¬ ets. The present assembly protects the straw and also facilitates bundling of primary packages together. Portion packages with straw for consumption can easily be arranged in a pre-defined pattern. The secondary package may enable a manufacturer to apply an appealing appearance while retaining the straw functionality.

In a further aspect, the secondary package of the assem- bly comprises a bottom panel connected to the main panel comprising the plurality of main portions and/or a top panel. The bottom panel is arranged on a bottom side of the primary packages and the top panel is arranged on a top side of the primary packages. The secondary package may comprise a bottom end panel that is connected to the bottom panel. The bottom end panel is arranged on a back side of the primary packages. The back side of the pri^¬ mary packages is the side opposite the side facing the main panel and main portions, respectively.

In an embodiment, the top panel and/or the bottom panel comprise weakened lines in extension to the weakened lines on the main panel to facilitate easier separation of the primary packages into individual packages. The respective weakened lines divide the top and/or bottom panel into respective top and/or bottom portions.

The top panel may extend to a respective sealing top notch of the plurality of primary packages. The top pan- el can be glued to said notch and the bottom panel can be glued to the bottom side of the primary packages.

In another embodiment, the top portion comprises at least one cut-out. The cutout may be arranged over an opening of the respective primary package. This enable a consumer to access the opening of the primary package without separating the secondary package and the primary package or removing the top portion. In another aspect, the cut-out in the top portion may extend to the cut-out of the respective main portion. In this embodiment, the cut-outs in both portions form a common cut-out provid^¬ ing access to the pocket between the primary package and the secondary package.

In another aspect of the invention, the beverage package assembly comprises a plurality of covers. Each of the covers is arranged over and seals a respective cut-out of main portions and/or the top portion. The cover may also overlap with an edge area of the main and/or top portion adjacent to the respective cut-out. Said overlap is glued to the main and/or top portion, thereby sealing the pocket tightly providing a good hygienic protection. The cover may be transparent to provide visibility to the pocket.

In another embodiment the cover may comprise a tab to remove the cover from the main portion and/or top por- tion. The top is not attached to the main and/or top portion, but freely accessible by a user or consumer. It is possible to have the tab in a different color or form than the remaining portion of the cover. For example, the cover over the cut-out may be transparent, while the tab portion of the cover is opaque. In an embodiment, the tab of the cover is arranged on the main portion of the secondary package thereby opening the cut-out by pulling the cover toward the top portion. In a further embodiment of the beverage package assembly each of the straws is encased in a protective cover. Such protective cover can be transparent and made of plastics. It can easily be ripped open to remove the straw. The cover of the secondary package may be connected to the protective cover such that by opening the cover, the protective cover is ruptured open as well and the straw can easily be removed from the pocket.

For example the cover may be glued to the protective cover of the straw. Alternatively and adhesive may be provided on the protective cover or on an inside of the cover, so both covers are glued together.

The protective cover of the straw itself can also be glued or otherwise attached to the primary package or the pocket part of the secondary package. It may also be possible to fix the straw inside the pocket, if its thickness is slightly smaller than the diameter of the straw. Thereby the straw is held by friction inside the pocket, even after the consumer has removed the cover of the secondary package. Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a package as^¬ sembly according to the present invention. A plurality of packages 2 are arranged in a 3x1 pattern, meaning 3 packages in a single row. The packages 2 are from brick shape structure and are placed next to, but otherwise separated from each other. The package assembly also comprises a secondary package retaining the primary packages in the defined 3x1 pattern.

The secondary package comprises a bottom panel 32, on which the packages are placed and (not shown) slightly attached to. For example, a small adhesive portion can be used to fixate the primary packages to bottom panel 32. Bottom panel 32 slightly protrudes in transversal direction T to form overlap 33. Secondary package also comprises a main panel 3, which is divided by two weak^¬ ened lines 36 in longitudinal direction L to form main portions 3a to 3c, respectively. The weakened lines 36 are perforated lines and also extend in the bottom panel (not shown) in extension to the cut-outs 37. The cut^¬ outs and the perforation line enable a consumer to easi^¬ ly separate individual packages from the assembly. The main portion 3a, 3b and 3c are spaced apart from the front side of the respective primary packages by way of spacing element 34. These spacing elements 34, of which one is shown here are longitudinal strips of a certain thickness D and arranged along the edges of main the re^¬ spective portions. Between to spacing element a gap and a pocket 341 are formed in which a straw 4 is placed.

To access the pocket and remove straw 4, each main por^¬ tion 3a, 3b and 3c comprise a cut-out 39 of "U"-shape extending from the uppermost part of the respective main portion in downwards direction.

The secondary package also includes a top panel, which is also separated by perforation lines 36a into differ^¬ ent top portions 31 for simple separation. The top panel and more particular the top portion 31 is attached to the top side of the primary packages, in this example to the top notch seal of the primary package. Top portion 31 of the top panel exceeds to around the edge 22 of top notch seal 20. Top portions 31 also comprise a cut-out 38, which, in this example, is placed over the opening 5 of the primary package. In other words, due to cut-out 38 of the top panel, the top panel does not mask or con^¬ ceal opening 5. The cut-outs 38 are of triangular shape having a round top edge and merge into cut-out 39 of the respective main portion.

A cover 35 is placed over the cut-outs 38 and 39 and ad^¬ jacent parts of top portion 31 and respective main por- tion 3a, 3b and 3c. Cover 35 is glued or otherwise rig^¬ idly attached to the top and main portion thereby seal^¬ ing the pocket. In this example, cover 35 is transparent at least in the area of the cut-outs to provide visibil^¬ ity into the pocket. To open the pocket, cover 35 com- prises a tab or lid 35a which is arranged on the top portion in this embodiment. A consumer pulls tab 35a to^¬ wards the edge and main portion 3a, 3b and 3c, thereby ripping apart the cover and opening cut-outs 38 and 39. Figure 2 shows a front view onto the main panel of sec^¬ ondary package and comprising portions 3a, 3b and 3c. Cut-outs 37 in the lower area of main portions have a transversal dimension such that parts of packages 2 are becoming visible. As it can be seen packages 2 are not tightly packed together but slightly spaced apart, which simplifies separation of the assembly into individual packages. Still, secondary package is attached to each of the primary packages on top, bottom or main portion. The cut-outs 39 in the respective main portions as well as cover 35 are arranged symmetrically with the same distance W to the edge or the perforation line 36, re^¬ spectively. Other shapes of cut-outs providing an ap^¬ pealing appearance are possible, as the cut-out provide access to the pocket created between the main portion and the primary package.

Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1. Spacing elements 34 are fixed to the side of main panel 3 facing the primary package. Thickness D of spacing elements 34 are chosen such that a straw or any other element inside the pocket is rigidly held within main panel and primary package even without gluing.

Figure 4 shows the top view of the first embodiment ac^¬ cording to Figure 1. The lateral dimension of cut-out 39 and cut-out 38 is higher than a dimension of the straw or element placed inside the pocket 341 to allow easy removal. The shape of cut-out 38 of top portion is first circular to provide access to opening 5 and then trans^¬ forms into a substantial triangular shape. In the area close to the pocket 341, both limbs of the triangular shape are leveled and extend substantially perpendicular to the transversal direction T.

Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. Secondary package now also comprises a bottom end panel 32a adjacent to bottom panel 32. Bottom end panel 32a is arranged on the back side of the respective primary packages. Hence, bottom end panel 32a, bottom panel 32 and main panel 3 form a U-shape in which the primary packages 2 are placed. Due to a shift of opening 5 on the top side of the primary packages, the cut-out of the top panel, but also on the front panel is shift^¬ ed. The cover 35 covering the cut-outs comprise a tab 35a, which is arranged on the main portion 3a, 3b and 3c, respectively. To open the cut-outs, the consumer pulls tab 35a upwards and then towards the opening 5.

Further, cutouts 37 are provided on the lower part as well as on the upper part of main portions. Those cut- outs extend to the top and bottom panel, respectively. The cutouts 37 are arranged in such way on the secondary packages, that the edges of two adjacent primary packag^¬ es become visible. Hence, cutouts 37 enable a consumer to identify the individual primary packages and allure the sizes of each primary package.

Figure 6 shows a front side of a blank, prior to forming it into a secondary package of the second embodiment. As seen the weakened lines 36 extend from the lowermost edge corresponding to the bottom end panel 32a to the uppermost edge of top panel. The top panel is separated from the main panel 3 by a bending or creasing line 302. Such line is a line of weakness along which the top pan^¬ el is formed during manufacture of the secondary pack- age. The same applies for bending or crease lines 300 and 301, separating main panel 3 from bottom panel 32 and bottom end panel 32a. Cutouts 37 are of a rectangu^¬ lar shape with rounded almost circular edge. The cut^¬ outs are provided for easier separation as it may be more difficult to rupture perforation line 36 on the edges between the main panel 3 and the top and bottom panels respectively.

Cut-outs 38 in the top panel have a round end part. One limb of cut-out 38 is extending parallel to perforation line 36 and into cut-out 39. Cut-out 39 is of rectangu^¬ lar shape with slight round edges.

Figure 7 shows the cut-view along the axis Z-Z of the blank of secondary package of embodiment of Figure 6. On the side of main panel 3 facing the primary package sev^¬ eral spacing elements 34, 340 having thickness D are at^¬ tached. As shown each portion 3a, 3b and 3c comprise a pair of spacing elements 34, 340. Each element 34, 340 of the pair is attached close to the edge of each main portion, thereby forming a gap 341 in between. This gap is forming the pocket when the primary package is ap^¬ plied. The spacing elements 34, 340 are in contact with the primary package and may be partly glued to the pri^¬ mary packages for retaining the primary package.

Figure 8 shows the rear view of the secondary package with the primary packages removed for illustration pur- poses. The straws 4 are placed in the gap between the spacing elements 34 and 34a, respectively. Those ele^¬ ments extend along the longitudinal direction L, from the lowermost end to the uppermost end of the respective main portions. In contrast to the embodiment in figure 7, the spacing elements of two adjacent main portions form a common spacing element 34a. Said common element comprises also a perforation line (not shown here) di^¬ rectly adjacent to the perforation line 36. Respective cut-outs in U-shape form are also provided on the lower- most end close to the bottom panel. The thickness of spacing elements are such that a straw, spoon or any other element can be placed inside the created pocket.

Figure 9 shows a front side of a blank, prior to forming it into a secondary package. As seen the weakened lines 36 extend from the lowermost edge corresponding to the bottom end panel 32a to the uppermost edge of top panel 31. The top panel 31 is separated from the main panel 3 by a bending or creasing line 302. Such line is a line of weakness along which the top panel 31 is formed dur^¬ ing manufacture of the secondary package. The same ap^¬ plies for bending or crease lines 300 and 301, separat- ing main panel 3 from bottom panel 32 and bottom end panel 32a. Cutouts 37 are of a rectangular shape with rounded almost circular edge. The cut-outs 37 are pro^¬ vided for easier separation as it may be more difficult to rupture weakened line 36 on the edges between the main panel 3 and the top and bottom panels 31, 32 re^¬ spectively. Cut-outs 38 in the top panel 31 have a round end part and are extending into cut-out 39. Cut-outs 39 are provided in the main panel 3 and are of substantial^¬ ly rectangular shape with round edges.

Figure 10 shows a front side of a blank, prior to form^¬ ing it into a secondary package. As seen the weakened lines 36 extend from the lowermost edge of the bottom end panel 32 to the uppermost edge of top panel 31. The top panel 31 is separated from the main panel 3 by a bending or creasing line 302. Such line is a line of weakness along which the top panel 31 is formed during manufacture of the secondary package. The same applies for bending or crease line 300, separating main panel 3 from bottom panel 32. Cutouts 37 are of a rectangular shape with rounded almost circular edge. The cut-outs 37 are provided for easier separation as it may be more difficult to rupture weakened line 36 on the edges be^¬ tween the main panel 3 and the top and bottom panels 31, 32 respectively. Cut-outs 38 in the top panel 31 have a round end part. One limb of cut-out 38 is extending par^¬ allel to perforation line 36 and into cut-out 39. Cut^¬ out 39 is of rectangular shape with slight round edges. Figure 11 shows a front side of a blank, prior to form^¬ ing it into a secondary package. As seen the weakened lines 36 extend from the lowermost edge of the main pan- el 3 to the uppermost edge of top panel 31. The top pan^¬ el 31 is separated from the main panel 3 by a bending or creasing line 302. Such line is a line of weakness along which the top panel 31 is formed during manufacture of the secondary package 3. Cut-outs 38 in the top panel 31 are circular. Cut-outs 39 are of rectangular shape with slight round edges and provided partly in the top por^¬ tion 31 and partly in the main portion 3.

Figure 12 shows a front side of a blank, prior to form- ing it into a secondary package. As seen the weakened lines 36 extend from the lowermost edge of the main pan^¬ el 3 to the uppermost edge of top panel 31. The top pan^¬ el 31 is separated from the main panel 3 by a bending or creasing line 302. Such line is a line of weakness along which the top panel 31 is formed during manufacture of the secondary package 3. Cut-outs 38 in the top panel 31 are circular. Cut-outs 38 in the top panel 31 have a round end part. Both limbs of cut-out 38 are extending parallel to perforation line 36 and into cut-out 39. Cut-out 39 is of rectangular shape with slight round edges. Both limbs of cut-out 39 are extending parallel to perforation line 36. Each top portion 31 has a cover 35 which may be separated therefrom. According to a first alternative aspect it is provided a secondary package for retaining a plurality of primary packages in a predefined pattern, comprising: a main panel 3, the main panel 3 being separated by a weakened line 36 in longitudinal direction to form a plurality of main portions 3a, 3b, 3c, a top panel 31 being separated from the main panel by a crease line 302 in lateral di^¬ rection, a bottom panel 32 being separated from the main panel by a crease line 300 in lateral direction, wherein each of the main portions 3 comprises two spacing ele^¬ ments 34, 340 longitudinally arranged on a side of the main portion facing the plurality of primary packages 2, and having a distance between each other a cut-out 39 extending from a transversal extension of the crease line 302 between the top panel 31 and the main panel 3.

The top panel may be separated by a weakened line 36 in longitudinal direction to form a plurality of top por- tions.

The top portion may comprise a cut-out 38 extending from a transversal extension of the crease line 302 between the top panel 31 and the main panel 3.

The secondary package may further comprise a cutout in extension to the weakened line adjacent to at least one of: the crease line 300 between the bottom panel 32 and the main panel 3; the crease line 302 between the top panel 31 and the main panel 3.

The secondary package according to the first alternative aspect, wherein a spacing element 34, 340 of one main portion 3a and a spacing element 34 of an adjacent main portion 3b form a common spacing element 34a, which comprises a weakened line adjacent to the weakened line 36 separating the one main portion 3a and the adjacent main portion 3b. The secondary package according to the first alternative aspect, further comprising: a plurality of covers 35, each of the plurality of covers 35 sealing the cut-out 39, 38 of at least one of the main portion and the top portion 3a, 3b, 3c, 31.

Each of the plurality of covers 35 may comprise a tab 35a adapted to rupture the cover 35 from at least the main portion 3a, 3b, 3c to access the cut-out 39 there^¬ of.

Each cover 35 of the plurality of covers may overlap partly with an edge area around the cut-out 38, 39 of at least one of the main portion 3a, 3b, 3c and the top portion 31, so as to fix the cover 35 onto the main por^¬ tion 3a, 3b, 3c and top portion 31, respectively.

The weakened line 36 may comprise a perforation.

According to a second alternative aspect it is provided a beverage package assembly comprising: a plurality of primary packages 2 arranged in a predefined pattern; a secondary package in operative connection with the plu- rality of primary packages 2 to retain the plurality of primary packages 2 in said predefined pattern; wherein the secondary package comprises a weakened line 36 to enable separation of the plurality of primary packages 2 into individual primary packages 2; a plurality of main portions 3a, 3b, 3c separated by said weakened line 36, each of the plurality of main portions 3a, 3b, 3c facing and spaced apart from a main side of a respective one of the plurality of primary packages 2 as to form respec^¬ tive pockets 341; a cut-out 39 in each of the plurality of main portions 3a, 3b, 3c to access the respective pockets 341; a plurality of straws 4 arranged in the re^¬ spective pockets 341. The secondary package may comprise at least one of a bottom panel 32 connected to a main panel 3 comprising the plurality of main portions 3a, 3b, 3c arranged on the bottom of the plurality of primary packages and a bottom end panel 32a connected to the bottom panel 32 and arranged on a back side of the plurality of primary packages 2.

The secondary package may comprise a top panel 31 con^¬ nected to the main panel 3 comprising the plurality of main portions 3a, 3b, 3c and arranged on the top side of the plurality of primary packages.

The top panel 31 may extend to a respective sealing top notch 20 of the plurality of primary packages 2.

The top panel 31 may comprise a plurality of cut-outs 38, each of said plurality of cut-outs 38 arranged over a respective opening 5 of each of the plurality of pri^¬ mary packages 2.

Each of said plurality of cut-outs 38 is adjacent to a cut-out 39 of the plurality of main portions 3a, 3b, 3c.

The beverage package assembly according to the second alternative aspect further comprising a plurality of co^¬ vers 35, each of the plurality of covers 35 arranged over and sealing a respective cut-out 39 of the plurali^¬ ty of main portions 3a, 3b, 3c. Each of the plurality of covers may comprise a tab to remove the respective covers. Each of the plurality of covers 35 may be a transparent cover .

Each of the plurality of straws 4 may be encased in a protective cover and each of the plurality of covers 35 is attached to a respective one of said protective cover such said by removing the cover 35, the protective cov^¬ er is ruptured enabling access to the respective straw.

Each of the plurality of straws 5 may be encased in a protective cover, said protective cover being glued or otherwise rigidly attached to the respective primary package .

A transversal dimension of said pocket 341 may be slightly smaller than a diameter of the straw 4 arranged in the pocket 341 as to rigidly fixate the straw in the pocket .

An advantage of having a secondary package to provide sturdiness to a primary package is that a more cost ef^¬ ficient packaging material of the primary package can be used or packaging material that does not provide the sturdiness needed for efficient stacking. As an example, a primary package of a transparent material can be made. REFERENCE LIST

1 package assembly

2 primary package

3 main panel

3a, 3b, 3c main portions

4 straw

5 opening

20 top notch

22 edge

30 main side

31 top panel

32 bottom panel

33 overlap

34 spacing element

34a common spacing element

38, 39 cut-out

35 cover

35a tab

36, 36a perforation line

37 cut-out

340 spacing element

341 gap, pocket

L longitudinal direction T transversal direction D thickness

Claims

1. A secondary package for retaining a plurality of primary packages in a predefined pattern, compris- ing :

- a main panel (3) , the main panel (3) being sepa^¬ rated by a weakened line (36) in longitudinal di^¬ rection to form a plurality of main portions (3a, 3b, 3c) ,

- wherein said main panel contributes to a sturdi- ness of said plurality of primary packages such that stacking of said primary packages are facili^¬ tated .

2. The secondary package according to claim 1, further comprising

a top panel (31) being separated from the main panel by a crease line (302) .

3. The secondary package according to any of the pre^¬ ceding claims, further comprising

- a bottom panel (32) being separated from the main panel by a crease line (300) .

4. The secondary package according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising

- a cut-out (39) .

5. A beverage package assembly comprising:

- a plurality of primary packages (2) arranged in a predefined pattern;

- a secondary package in operative connection with the plurality of primary packages (2) to retain the plu- rality of primary packages (2) in said predefined pattern;

- wherein the secondary package comprises

- a weakened line (36) to enable separation of the plurality of primary packages (2) into individu^¬ al primary packages (2);

- a plurality of main portions (3a, 3b, 3c) sepa^¬ rated by said weakened line (36) .

6. The beverage package assembly according to claim

5, wherein each of the plurality of main portions (3a, 3b, 3c) facing and spaced apart from a main side of a respective one of the plurality of pri^¬ mary packages (2) as to form respective pockets (341) .

7. The beverage package assembly according to any one of claims 5 or 6, further comprising

a cut-out (39) in each of the plurality of main por^¬ tions (3a, 3b, 3c) to access the respective pockets (341) .

8. The beverage package assembly according to claim 6, further comprising

a plurality of straws (4) arranged in the respective pockets (341) .

9. The beverage package assembly of any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the secondary package comprises at least one of

a bottom panel (32) connected to a main panel (3) comprising the plurality of main portions (3a, 3b, 3c) arranged on the bottom of the plurality of prima- ry packages and

a bottom end panel (32a) connected to the bottom pan^¬ el (32) and arranged on a back side of the plurality of primary packages (2) .

10. A method for producing a beverage package as^¬ sembly comprising a plurality of primary packages (2) arranged in a predefined pattern; a secondary package in operative connection with the plurality of primary packages (2) to retain the plurality of primary packages (2) in said predefined pattern; wherein the secondary package comprises a weakened line (36) to enable separation of the plurality of primary packages (2) into individual primary pack^¬ ages (2); a plurality of main portions (3a, 3b, 3c) separated by said weakened line (36) , said method comprising:

receiving said plurality of primary packages, and

- connecting said plurality of primary packages to said secondary package.