EP2307283A1

EP2307283A1 - Protection arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP2307283A1
Application number: EP08784889A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Filip Klepacki; Gert De Smedt
Original assignee: SCA Packaging Marketing NV
Current assignee: DS Smith Packaging Marketing NV
Priority date: 2008-07-18
Filing date: 2008-07-18
Publication date: 2011-04-13
Also published as: WO2010006629A1

Abstract

A protection arrangement (1) for holding together and protecting a plurality of objects (2). Each object has a protruding element (3) extending from a first surface (4) of the object. The protection arrangement (1) is capable of adopting a stacking configuration. The protection arrangement (1) comprises a connecting region (5) and a spacing region (8), the connecting region and the spacing region being separated by a first fold line (12) such that when the arrangement is in its stacking configuration, the spacing region (8) extends substantially perpendicular to the connecting region (5). The spacing region (8) has a first surface (9) adapted to contact the first surface (4) of each object (2) and a second surface (10) adapted to form a stacking surface substantially parallel to the first surface (9) of the spacing region (8) when the protection arrangement (1) is in its stacking configuration. The connecting region (5) has a first surface (6) for contacting a second surface (11) of each object.

Description

PROTECTION ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a protection arrangement for holding together and protecting a plurality of objects. The invention further relates to a blank for forming a protection arrangement, an assembly of a protection arrangement and a plurality of objects and a method for forming an assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Packaging is very important when handling products through the whole chain of production, storage, transport, factory/retailer/home storage, selection by user/buyer, carrying, storage_; consuming, etc. With appropriate packaging the products are protected during e.g. transport and storage. The packaging should assist the user/buyer in choosing a certain product, e.g. by displaying information regarding the product name and content. It is also advantageous if the package is easy to carry, e.g. from the shop to home.

During storage and transport, it is often desired to be able to stack many packages on top of each other to maximize the usage of storage shelves and transport volumes. The package should thus be stable enough to allow for stacking of other packages on top of it. On the other hand, if packages are too robust, there is material waste adding unnecessary cost.

Today it is common to sell liquid products, such as milk, cream, yoghurt, fruit juice, wine and sauces intended for human consumption, in cartons having the shape of a substantially rectangular block with a spout protected by a cap. Such cartons typically have a volume of from about 0.2 to 2 litres. The spout and cap form an element protruding from the rectangular block, which makes it difficult to stack such cartons on top of each other. The full weight of the upper cartons has to be carried by the protruding elements. This may cause the cartons or the protruding elements to collapse or may lead to a high cost for the packaging material to make the cartons sufficiently robust.

To overcome this stacking problem it is known to place the cartons in an outer box of, for example, corrugated board. Such a box generally has four sides and a bottom. There is no top side, which makes it easy to remove the cartons out of the box. The top side corners are reinforced by triangular edges, which stiffen the box to maintain a rectangular shape of the box. The triangular edges also provide surfaces upon which a new box can be placed on top of the first box, so that the box can carry the load of the above cartons and boxes, thereby avoiding putting weight on the protruding elements.

However, these boxes suffer from several drawbacks. Not only is a considerable amount of material needed to provide a box of sufficient volume to accommodate the cartons, the boxes are also not optimal for the consumer. Thus, when a consumer wants to buy more than one carton he/she has to lift them one by one over to his/her shopping trolley. Of course, it would be possible to group the cartons in another package, e.g. a 6-pack, but then a further package is needed for each product, since the liquid product is packed in a carton, which is packed in a 6-pack, which in turn is packed together with other 6-packs in a box. When all the cartons have been removed from the box. the empty box serves no further purpose and simply constitutes waste.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a protection arrangement capable of holding together and protecting a plurality of objects having protruding elements in a simple manner, whilst facilitating stacking of the packages and at the same time protecting the protruding elements of the objects.

This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention by a protection arrangement for holding together and protecting a plurality of objects, each object having a protruding element extending from a first surface of the object. The protection arrangement is capable of adopting a stacking configuration and the protection arrangement comprises a connecting region and a spacing region. The connecting region and the spacing region are separated by a first fold line such that when the arrangement is in its stacking configuration, the spacing region extends substantially perpendicular to the connecting region. The spacing region has a first surface adapted to contact the first surface of the object and a second surface adapted to form a stacking surface substantially parallel to the first surface of the spacing region when the protection arrangement is in its stacking configuration. The connecting region has a first surface for contacting a second surface of each object. Since, in accordance with the invention, the spacing region is adapted to contact the surface of the object having the protruding element, the thickness of the spacing region can be chosen such that it is greater than the height of the protruding element. In this manner, a substantially flat stacking surface is attained at the same time that the protruding elements will not be required to bear the weight of any objects placed on the stacking surface.

Further embodiments of the protection arrangement of the present invention are detailed in the dependent claims.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an assembly of objects and a protection arrangement. This object is achieved by the assembly of claim 18.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method for forming an assembly of objects and a protection arrangement. This object is achieved by the method of claim 24.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will hereinafter be explained in greater detail by means of non- limiting examples and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a protection arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 2a - 2c show possible configurations of the protection arrangement of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an assembly with a protection arrangement according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 shows a blank for the protection arrangement of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an assembly with a protection arrangement according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 shows a blank for the protection arrangement of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an assembly with a protection arrangement according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 shows a blank for the protection arrangement of Fig. 7, and

Fig. 9 shows in principle how to make the protection arrangement of Fig. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will, in the following, be exemplified by embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the embodiments are included in order to explain principles of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention, defined by the appended claims.

Fig. 1 illustrates a protection arrangement 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The protection arrangement is intended to hold together and protect a plurality of objects 2. The objects have protruding elements 3 extending from a first surface 4 of the object. In the drawings, the objects are parallelepiped liquid containers and the protruding elements are constituted by spouts covered by a protection cap on the top surface of the containers. Such containers may typically have a volume of between 0.2 and 2 litres. The protection arrangement 1 comprises a connecting region 5 having a first 6 and a second surface 7 and a spacing region 8 having a first surface 9 and a second surface 10. The main purpose of the connecting region 5 is to hold the objects 2 together. In the example shown, the connecting region 5 is in contact with a second surface 11 of each object 2. The connecting region 5 is separated from the spacing region 8 by a first fold line 12.

The protection arrangement 1 forms together with the plurality of objects 2 an assembly 13. The assembly can comprise one, two, three, four, six, eight or ten or more objects. It is preferred to use an even number of objects, since the assembly is then better balanced when carried.

The protection arrangement 1 is capable of adopting a stacking configuration, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2a. In its stacking configuration, the first surface 9 of the spacing region 8 is adapted to contact the first surface 4 of the objects 2. The second surface 10 of the spacing region 8 forms a stacking surface which is substantially parallel to the first surface 9 of the spacing region. The first 9 and second surfaces 10 of the spacing region are separated by a second fold line 14. The stacking surface is formed in such a way that the protruding elements 3 of each object 2 will be below the stacking surface and will thus not carry any weight from any objects placed on the stacking surface.

The protection arrangement is further capable of adopting a carrying configuration, as indicated in Fig. 2c. Fig. 2b shows the displacement between the stacking configuration and the carrying configuration. Carrying can be further facilitated by providing the protection arrangement with a first set of openings 15 to form a grip or by adding a handle (not shown). The connecting region is also capable of holding the objects together in the carrying configuration.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the protection arrangement is generally T- shaped in the stacking configuration and generally l-shaped in the carrying configuration. In such an embodiment, the first surface 9 of the spacing region 8 comprises two halves, a first half 16 and a second half 17. The second surface 10 of the spacing region 8 also comprises two halves, a first half 18 and a second half 19, separated from each other by a third fold line 20. The first surface 6 of the connecting region 5 transforms at the first fold line 12 into the first half 16 of the first surface, which at the second fold line 14 transforms into the first half 18 of the second surface, which at the third fold line 20 transforms into the second half 19 of the second surface, which at a fourth fold line 21 transforms into the second half 17 of the first surface, and which at a fifth fold line 22 transforms into the second surface 7 of the connecting region. All fold lines, from the first to the fifth 12, 14, 20, 21, 22 are parallel to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, each half 16, 17, 18, 19 of both the first and the second surfaces 9, 10 of the spacing region has the same width w, defined as the distance between one of the fold lines to the adjacent fold line. In this manner, a symmetric T-shape of the protection arrangement when in its stacking configuration is attained. However, it will be appreciated that the first half of the first surface and the second half of the second surface may have a width which is different to the width of the second half of the first surface and the first half of the second surface to thereby form a non-symmetric generally T-shaped protection arrangement.

In the generally T-shaped stacking configuration the first half 18 of the second surface 10 of the spacing region 8 is folded against the first half 16 of the first surface 9 of the spacing region 8, and the second half 19 of the second surface 9 of the spacing region is folded against the second half 17 of the first surface 9 of the spacing region 8. Thereby a substantially flat stacking surface is formed.

In the illustrated generally l-shaped carrying configuration the first half 16 of the first surface 9 of the spacing region 8 is located against the second half 17 of the first surface 9 of the spacing region and the first half 18 of the second surface 10 of the spacing region is located against the second half 19 of the second surface 10 of the spacing region.

As mentioned above, carrying can be further facilitated by providing the protection arrangement with a first set of openings 15 to form a grip. In the illustrated first embodiment, these openings are preferably located in the two halves of the second surface 18, 19 of the spacing region 8, so that they together in the generally l-shaped carrying configuration form a through-going hole which is easy to grip.

It is preferred to use both the first 6 and second 7 surfaces of the connecting region 5 for contact with the objects, since the assembly will have a better balance with weight on both sides. However, it would also be possible to only use one surface for contact with objects arranged in a single row next to each other.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the protection arrangement is made of foldable material which has been folded to provide a stacking surface as described above. Preferably, the foldable material is capable of changing shape, so that the protection arrangement can be manipulated between the stacking and the carrying configuration, i.e. the folds are not permanent and permit displacement between different angles, e.g. 0°, 90°, 180° and 270°. Suitable materials are for example cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastics or thin metals.

It is also conceivable to provide a protection arrangement which has a permanent stacking configuration. Such a protection arrangement could for example be made of moulded plastic.

The stacking surface of the protection arrangement should be essentially flat and arranged so that the protruding elements are protected. In Fig. 1 this is achieved by the thickness of the spacing region, where the material of the protection arrangement is double-folded. In order to save material, it would also be possible to have a thin material comprising the first and second surface and having distance members in between the surfaces to obtain sufficient height. Of course, such a structure would need to possess sufficient rigidity to allow further objects to be stacked on top of the protection arrangement.

Assemblies 13 with a protection arrangement 1 according to a second embodiment are illustrated in Fig. 3. Each assembly comprises six objects 2 in the form of rectangular blocks having a spout with a cap as a protruding element 3. The protection arrangement is separable into detachable modules 23, in this case comprising two objects, along separation lines 24. These can for example be perforated lines. The protection arrangement covers most of the first surfaces 4 of the objects, except for where the elements 3 are protruding. Preferably at least 50% of the area of the first surface 4 of the objects is covered by the protection arrangement, more preferably at least 70% and most preferably at least 90%. In this respect, the term "area" includes the area of the first surface occupied by the protruding element 3.

Fig. 3 illustrates how the protection arrangement can be changed between the stacking configuration (like the assembly at the back) and the carrying configuration (like the assembly at the front). Each module may be provided with openings constituting the aforementioned first set of openings 15 to facilitate carrying of separate modules.

The protection arrangement of the second embodiment also has a second set 25 of openings, being able to accommodate the protruding elements 3. These openings 25 are provided at the edges of the protection arrangement 1 in its stacking configuration in such a way that these openings 25 have an open circumference, thereby making it simpler to separate an object from the assembly.

The above-described protection arrangement 1 may be made from a blank 26 as illustrated in Fig. 4. A suitable material is corrugated cardboard having a certain thickness t. An opening of the first set of openings 15 is tangential to an opening of the second set of openings 25. In Fig. 4 the first and second surfaces 6, 7 of the connecting region 5 are shaped so that they will interlace with each other in the protection arrangement, so that the thickness of the connecting region 5 will only be t, while the thickness of the spacing region 8 will be 2 x t, since the blank material is double-folded. It is to be understood, nevertheless, that the connecting region may also comprise double-folded material, as shown in Fig. 1 for example. Further, the connecting region 5 of the protection arrangement has one or more nick regions 27 surrounded by rupturable nick separation lines 28. The nick regions 27 are intended to be affixed to the second surfaces 11 of the objects, by e.g. an adhesive. When an object is to be separated from the assembly, the protection arrangement tends to break at the nick separation line 28, thereby facilitating detachment of an object from the protection arrangement.

The blank 26 of Fig. 4 is shown as a separate sheet comprising three modules 23. As an alternative, the blank could also be a roll having a plurality of modules, one after another. The assemblies could in such case comprise any desired number of objects, something which would optimize pallet fit for storage and transportation, irrespective of the size of pallet.

Fig. 5 illustrates assemblies 13 having a protection arrangement 1 according to a third embodiment of the invention. A blank 26 suitable for forming such a protection arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 6. The objects 2 of Fig. 5, shown here by way of example in the form of rectangular blocks, are "lying down" in the stacking configuration (see the assembly at the front). Their protruding elements 3 are directed inwards for better protection. Preferably the objects are arranged in the assembly so that the protruding element of one object is directed towards a flat region of the first surface 4 of the opposing object and vice versa. A second set of openings 25 (Fig. 6) in the spacing region 8 accommodates the protruding elements 3.

The protection arrangement of Fig. 5 comprises two parts, a first part 29 and a second part 30. Each of the parts 29, 30 constitutes a protection arrangement by itself, but in this embodiment they are combined to provide further advantages. The two parts are arranged with respect to each other such that in the stacking configuration at least parts of the second surfaces 10 of the spacing regions 8 contact each other. The first and second parts 29, 30 are joined to each other, preferably by an adhesive, along at least parts of the second surfaces 10 of the spacing regions 8. In the illustrated example, the spacing regions 8 extend beyond the first surfaces 4 of the objects 2. In the stacking configuration these extended portions of the spacing regions are brought to contact a third surface 31 of each object, which surface is parallel to the second surface 11 of each the object. In the carrying configuration (like the assembly at the back), the objects 2 "stand up" with the protruding elements 3 directed upwards. The second surface 7 of each connecting region 5 of the two parts 29, 30 contact each other. This results in a well-balanced assembly which is easy to carry. The upper openings of the second set of openings 25 together with the first set of openings 15 may be used as a handle to further facilitate carrying.

The corresponding blank 26 is shown in Fig. 6. Preferably, the blank is cut in the middle providing the two parts 29, 30. The blank of Fig. 6 has nick regions 27 corresponding to those of Fig. 4 mentioned above.

In Fig. 7 an assembly comprising a protection arrangement 1 according to a fourth embodiment is illustrated in an exemplary assembly 13 comprising six objects 2. A corresponding blank 26 is illustrated in Fig. 8. In its stacking configuration the protection arrangement 1 covers three surfaces of each object, thereby forming an outer shell giving extra stability to the assembly. The connecting region 5 has a first 6 and a second surface 7, being parallel to each other and being perpendicular to the spacing region 8, which comprises two parts. The connecting region 5 further has a third surface 32 being perpendicular to both the first 6 and second surface 7 and being in contact with a third surface 31 of the objects, the third surface of the objects 31 being opposite to the first surface 4 of the objects. In order to remove one of the objects 2 from the assembly 13, the protection arrangement 1 is opened. In the stacking configuration the protruding elements are accommodated by openings 25 of the second set of openings, which are located so that they have an open circumference. An extra handle (not shown) may be added to facilitate carrying. There may further be provided an extra closure (not shown), e.g. a tape, to ensure that the protection arrangement 1 does not open unintentionally.

One method suitable for forming assemblies using the above-described first embodiment of the protection arrangement is shown in Fig. 9. Each blank 26 is supplied from a roll 33 of continuous blank material. The blank material has already been provided with fold lines 12, 14, 20, 21 , 22 in an earlier process step (not shown) and has been rolled up double- folded.

In the next step, the second surface 11 of the objects 2, here in the form of rectangular blocks, are adhered to what will be the first 6 and second surfaces 7 of the connecting region 5 of a protection arrangement. Thereafter the blank materia! is folded using for example a shaping plate so that the spacing region 8 is formed to be perpendicular of the connecting region 5, with the first surface 9 of the spacing region 8 in contact with the first surface 4 of the objects 2. The spacing region then forms a stacking surface on its second surface 10.

A similar method may be used for forming assemblies incorporating the above-described second embodiment of the protection arrangement. In such a method, after the second surface 11 of the objects have been adhered to the first surface 6 of the connecting region 5 of each part 29, 30 of the protection arrangement, the objects are caused to rotate through 90° so that the respective first surfaces 4 of the objects face each other, with the protruding elements 3 being accommodated in the second set of openings 25 of the spacing regions 8. Thereafter, the portions of the spacing regions which extend beyond the first surfaces of the objects are folded over to lie against the third surfaces 31 of the objects.

It will be apparent from the description of the various embodiments of the invention that the protection arrangement offers the advantage that it need not extend around the entire circumference of the objects. Particularly for the first three embodiments, not only does this imply material savings, it also means that the objects can be easily viewable and are easily accessible to be detached from the protection arrangement.

The invention has been described above by way of example only and the skilled person will appreciate that many modifications of the above-described embodiments are conceivable within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, although the invention has been described in relation to liquid containers having a spout projecting from the top surface, it will be appreciated that the invention is equally applicable for objects having a protruding element which, irrespective of where it is located on the object, projects above the surface against which the spacing region of the protection arrangement is intended to contact.

Claims

1. A protection arrangement (1 ) for holding together and protecting a plurality of objects (2), each object having a protruding element (3) extending from a first surface (4) of the object, said protection arrangement (1 ) being capable of adopting a stacking configuration, said protection arrangement (1) comprising a connecting region (5) and a spacing region (8), said connecting region and said spacing region being separated by a first fold line (12) such that when said arrangement is in said stacking configuration, said spacing region (8) extends substantially perpendicular to said connecting region (5), said spacing region (8) having a first surface (9) adapted to contact said first surface (4) of said each object (2) and a second surface (10) adapted to form a stacking surface substantially parallel to said first surface (9) of said spacing region (8) when said protection arrangement (1) is in its stacking configuration, said connecting region (5) having a first surface (6) for contacting a second surface (11 ) of said each object.

2. The protection arrangement (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said first surface (9) of said spacing region (8) is separated from said second surface (10) of said spacing region (8) by a second fold line (14).

3. The protection arrangement (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said connecting region (5) has a second surface (7) parallel to said first surface (6) of said connecting region (5) for contacting a corresponding second surface (11 ) of an adjacent object.

4. The protection arrangement (1 ) according to claim 3, wherein said first surface (9) of said spacing region (8) comprises a first half (16) and a second half (17), and said second surface (10) of said spacing region (8) also comprises a first half (18) and a second half (19); said first surface (6) of said connecting region (5) transforming at said first fold line

(12) into said first half (16) of said first surface (9), said first half (16) of said first surface (9) transforming at said second fold line (14) into said first half (18) of said second surface (10), said first half (18) of said second surface (10) transforming at said third fold line (20) into said second half (19) of said second surface (10), said second half (19) of said second surface (10) transforming at a fourth fold line (21) into said second half (17) of said first surface (9), and said second half (17) of said first surface (9) transforming at a fifth fold line (22) into said second surface (7) of said connecting region (5); said first (12), second (13), third (20), fourth (21 ) and fifth (22) fold lines being parallel to each other; said halves of said first and said second surfaces (16, 17, 18, 19) of said spacing region (8) being arranged such that said stacking configuration is substantially T- shaped with said first half (16) of said first surface (9) of said spacing region (8) being located against said first half (18) of said second surface (10) of said spacing region (8) and said second half (17) of said first surface of said spacing region (8) being located against said second half (19) of said second surface of said spacing region (8).

5. The protection arrangement (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein said protection arrangement (1 ) is displaceable between said stacking configuration and a carrying configuration in which said carrying configuration is l-shaped with said first half (16) of said first surface (9) of said spacing region (8) being located against said second half (17) of said first surface of said spacing region (8), and said first half (18) of said second surface (10) of said spacing region (8) being located against said second half (19) of said second surface of said spacing region (8).

6. The protection arrangement (1 ) according to claim 3, wherein in said stacking configuration said connecting region (5) further has a third surface (32) extending perpendicular to said first (6) and second surfaces (7) of said connecting region (5), said third surface (32) of said connecting region (5) contacting a third surface (31 ) of said each object.

7. The protection arrangement (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said protection arrangement (1) comprises a first part (29) and a second part (30), each said part being constituted by the protection arrangement (1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , said two parts being arranged with respect to each other such that in said stacking configuration said second surfaces (10) of said spacing regions (8) contact each other.

8. The protection arrangement (1 ) according to claim 7, wherein said first (29) and second parts (30) are joined to each other, preferably by adhesive, along at least parts of said second surfaces of said spacing regions (8).

9. The protection arrangement (1 ) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said first surfaces (9) of said spacing regions (8) are adapted to extend beyond said first surfaces (4) of said objects (2) such that said first surfaces (9) of said spacing regions (8) can be brought to contact a third surface (31) of said each object, said third surface being parallel to said second surface (11) of each said object.

10. The protection arrangement (1) according to claim 9, wherein each said connecting region (5) has a second surface (7) parallel to said first surface (6) of said connecting region (5), said protection arrangement being capable of adopting a carrying configuration in which said second surfaces of said connecting regions

(5) contact each other.

11. The protection arrangement (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said protection arrangement (1 ) is separable into detachable modules (23) at separation lines (24), each of said modules being adapted to protect at least one of said each objects.

12. The protection arrangement (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first set of openings (15) is provided in said spacing region (8), said first set being adapted to form a handle when said protection arrangement is in its carrying configuration.

13. The protection arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a second set of openings (25) is provided in said spacing region (8), said second set of openings being adapted to accommodate said protruding elements

(3) when said protection arrangement is in its stacking configuration.

14. The protection arrangement (1 ) according to claim 13, wherein said second set of openings has an open circumference when said protection arrangement (1 ) is in its stacking configuration.

15. The protection arrangement (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting region (5) is provided with at least one nick region (27) surrounded by a rupturable nick separation line (28).

16. A blank (26) for forming a protection arrangement (1) according to any of claims 1 to 15.

17. A roll (30) of blank material forming a continuous blank suitable for making protection arrangements (1) according to any of claims 1 to 15.

18. An assembly (13) comprising a protection arrangement (1) according to any of claims 1 to 15 and a plurality of objects (2), each object having a protruding element (3) extending from a first surface (4) of the object and a second surface

(11 ), said protection arrangement being affixed to said plurality of objects such that when said protection arrangement (1 ) is in its stacking configuration, said first surface (6) of said connecting region (5) contacts said second surface (11 ) of each object.

19. The assembly (13) according to claim 18, wherein said spacing region (8) has a thickness which is greater than the protrusion height of said protruding element (3) when said protection arrangement (1) is in its stacking configuration.

20. The assembly (13) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein said spacing region (8) covers at least 50%, preferably at least 70% and most preferably at least 90% of said first surface (4) of said each object.

21. The assembly (13) according to any of claims 18 to 20, wherein each said object having a protruding element (3) has the shape of a rectangular block and said protruding element (3) is in the form of a spout, possibly with a protective cap therefor.

22. The assembly (13) according to any of claims 18 to 21 , wherein said assembly is separable into detachable modules (23), each module comprising at least one said object.

23. The assembly (13) according to any of claims 18 to 22, wherein the assembly comprises an even number of said objects (2) and half of said plurality of objects is in contact with said first surface (6) of said connecting region (5) and the other half of said plurality of objects is in contact with said second surface (7) of said connecting region (5).

24. A method of forming the assembly as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 23, the method comprising the steps of:

- providing a roll (33) of double-folded blank material, the blank material having fold lines (12, 14, 20, 21 , 22); - adhering said second surface (11) of the objects (2) to those regions of the blank material constituting the first and second surfaces (6; 7) of the connecting regions (5) of the protection arrangements;

- folding said blank material about said fold lines (12, 14, 20, 21 , 22) to form the spacing region (8) of each protection arrangement, and -bringing the first surface (9) of the spacing region (8) of each protection arrangement into contact with the first surface (4) of its respective objects (2).