EP3878764A2 - Device for separating and for wedging, in particular for bottles, and box housing at least one such device, and use thereof in e-commerce transport - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for separating and wedging (1) containers such as bottles, the device being made of a rigid or semi-rigid collapsible material, in particular of cardboard or corrugated cardboard, comprising at least internally two hollow longitudinal housings (4A, 4B) , preferably cylindrical of square section, the outline of which is formed by a plurality of panels (42, 43, 44, 45) of longitudinal bodies, and each of the housings having at least one so-called upper distal end which is open, characterized in that that one of the panels of each housing has at least two fold lines (47 ', 48') spaced apart, parallel and transverse to the longitudinal body of the panel, so as to provide at least one flap towards the interior of the housing, folded relative to the length of the body of the panel, at a position chosen from among at least two positions depending on the folding according to one (47 '), or both folding lines (47', 48 '), the flap forming a wedging element (5).

Description

The invention relates to the field of the protection of containers such as bottles, for their transport, in particular in the field of e-commerce transport.

The invention relates in particular to a device for separating and wedging at least two bottles intended to be arranged side by side, and to a crate made of rigid foldable or semi-rigid foldable material such as cardboard, comprising at least least such a separation and wedging device. The separation and wedging device constitutes a protective packaging for the bottles and the box ensures perfect packaging and protection.

The invention will be more particularly described with regard to containers of the bottle type, in particular glass bottles, without however being limited thereto, and applies to any type of containers, flasks, glass, metal or other containers, to be separated and wedge, and protect when placed in a crate.

Today, most glass bottles that are packaged in cartons vertically are arranged adjacent by being placed directly against the bottom of the carton and being wedged by cardboard vertical partition dividers, often called cross braces. cardboard.

More and more, in particular with the development of commercial transactions carried out remotely via the Internet (electronic commerce or also called “e-commerce”), it is desirable to further increase the protection of bottles, packaging boxes. that can be handled with negligence throughout the transport logistics chain, from packaging to delivery. The packaging boxes can be abused especially during their tight arrangement side by side, then undergoing lateral stresses, or during stacking undergoing stress on the top of the box, or sometimes can even be dropped, the fall can damage the cardboard and risk breaking the bottles.

In addition, the dunnage elements inside the packaging boxes are not so quick to implement, because they require a setting in volume from one or more blanks of cardboard, and an introduction of each dunnage element. in the carton box requiring operator viewing to properly insert them between the bottles.

Furthermore, current packaging is designed so that, in the same box, only bottles of the same height are available. However, in particular for wines, there is now, particularly in e-commerce, a need to be able to send at a distance and in the same package, different varieties of wine even though the size of the bottles is different.

The object of the invention is therefore to propose an improved solution for the separation, the wedging and the protection of containers such as bottles, while being easy and quick to use. enforce. In addition, the solution makes it possible to accommodate and wedge bottles of different sizes while guaranteeing their protection.

The invention relates to a device for separating and wedging containers such as bottles, the device being made of a rigid collapsible or semi-rigid collapsible material, in particular of cardboard or corrugated cardboard. The device comprises at least two hollow longitudinal housings, preferably cylindrical of square section, the outline of which is formed by a plurality of longitudinal or oblong body panels, and each of the housings having at least one so-called upper distal end which is open (by where a bottle is intended to be inserted). The device is characterized in that one of the panels of each housing comprises at least two fold lines spaced apart, parallel and transverse to the longitudinal body of the panel, so as to provide at least one flap towards the interior of a housing, folded with respect to the length (height) of the body of the panel, at a position to be chosen from at least two positions depending on the folding along one or both fold lines, the flap forming a wedging element of the container ( of the bottle).

Preferably each of the housings has its so-called lower distal end (that opposite the upper end) which is also open without having a wedging bottom. The lower end is completely through in the position of use of the separation and wedging device, said separation and wedging device being intended to be arranged vertically in a packing box. The fact that the two lower and upper distal ends are preferably open facilitates the manufacture of the (cardboard) blank and its shaping. The separation and wedging device does not include any bottom. The implementation of the separation and wedging device is thus very simple and fast. The container is intended to be retained and wedged by the bottom of the packing box in which the separation and wedging device will be placed.

The wedging element is in particular formed by a first flap folded from the first fold line which is a fold line arranged at or near (immediate) the open upper distal end of each housing, or else is formed by a second flap made from at least two parts folded along the two fold lines (the second fold line being lower than the first fold line).

The flap is intended to be folded towards the inside of the housing to close the interior section of the housing, being intended to cooperate with the container (the bottle) to constitute the wedging element and thus wedge the container in the housing.

Depending on the height of the container placed in the housing, the flap will therefore be folded either along the first fold line to close the interior section of the housing in the plane or in the immediate vicinity of the plane of its open distal end, or according to the first and second fold lines to close the interior section of the housing away from the open distal end to the opposite of the other distal end of the housing (hence at a height lower than the open upper distal end).

Thus, the same separation and wedging device makes it possible to provide at least two protective housings which can, if necessary, have two different positions in height of a flap constituting a wedging element, in order to wedge containers of different heights, the flap forming the wedging element which can in fact be folded at two different heights (two different fold lines and spaced apart) with respect to the height / length of the device. The separation and wedging device integrally forms a means for wedging two containers with a peripheral protection on the whole of each container and makes it possible to house, wedge and protect containers which may be of different size. The flap of each housing secures and protects the upper part of each container. When using the separation and wedging device which is intended to be arranged in a packing box, it will provide a double vertical wall thickness peripheral to the packing box, ensuring improved protection against lateral stresses which may be subjected to the body during its transport.

According to one characteristic, the panel provided with the wedging element comprises a first part forming a so-called lower longitudinal fixed part (opposite the open upper distal end), and at least two parts, called end part and intermediate part. , which extend longitudinally and in continuity with the lower fixed part, the end part protruding from the other panels of each housing and connected to the intermediate part by the first transverse fold line (which preferably is aligned with the edge of the upper distal end of said other panels), while the intermediate part is connected to the lower part by the second transverse fold line (located lower than the first fold line).

The end part, when folded alone, forms a first single flap orthogonal to the lower fixed part, the intermediate part (which is not folded) being coplanar with the lower fixed part, which provides a housing with a locking element. wedging positioned at the top of the device, in the plane or in the immediate vicinity of the plane of the opening of the upper distal end of the housing associated with this flap.

When both the middle part and the end part are folded, they are folded into an L-shape, and form a second L-shaped flap from (the second fold line of) the lower fixed part, which provides a container storage housing with a wedge positioned much lower than the top (top end) of the device.

Therefore, the wedging element is advantageously formed either, of a first single flap orthogonal to the rest (lower) of the body of the panel while being folded from the first fold line, or of a second flap of L shape with respect to the rest (lower) of the panel body by being folded from the first and second fold lines, part of the L of the flap being orthogonal to the body of the panel and closing the interior of the housing, while the L the other part of the L is pressed against the opposite panel in look at the panel to which the flap is attached.

In particular, the wedging element folded along the two fold lines provides a flap having an L-shape with part of the L of the flap which is orthogonal to the body of the panel (horizontal plane in the position of use of the device) and closes inside the housing, while the other part of the L (part in a vertical plane) is pressed against the panel towards the upper distal end. This L-shape with the vertical part of the L which is not retracted towards the interior of the housing intended to accommodate a container (smaller in size than the length of the housing), but which, on the contrary, extends into the empty volume above the flap and the housing, gives an increase in the resistance of the device in this vacuum location.

Therefore, the separation and wedging device makes it easy to wrap and protect two bottles, the two bottles may not be of the same height, and when one of the housings is used for a smaller size bottle, the device provides a flap which allows, while ensuring the wedging, to ensure that the device remains resistant and without risk of crushing during transport. In particular, the horizontal part of the L-shaped flap allows the bottle to be wedged, while the vertical part contributes to the strength of the housing. This vertical part provides vis-à-vis the empty volume of the housing above the horizontal part of the flap, an extra thickness of the vertical side of the panel wall and an extra thickness of the upper edge of the panel wall, which reinforces the bending resistance of the panel to the side and from top to bottom, and thus reinforces the rigidity of the device. This leads to a separation and wedging device which ensures better protection of the goods - the bottles - during transport, and in particular when stacking packaging boxes intended to include separation and wedging devices of the invention. .

According to yet another characteristic, the at least two housings of the device come from a single blank comprising longitudinal panels capable of being folded longitudinally and articulated between them, and of which one panel is provided with at least two parts which can be folded transversely to form a first or a second flap.

Advantageously, the wedging element comprises a means of cooperation with the container which is intended to be installed in the housing, the cooperation means serving to keep the container in its installed (and upright) position in its housing. Preferably, in particular in a use of the device for wedging bottles, the wedging element comprises, as cooperation means, a central orifice, cut out or knockout; preferably, said at least one flap which forms the wedging element, and is at least in two parts of which only one part is folded or both parts are folded, is such that each of its parts is provided as a means of cooperation, a central hole, cut or knockout. The central opening allows the folded flap to pass around the neck of the bottle. Each bottle is thus even better maintained, and therefore wedged in its housing.

Thus, when the height of the bottle is greater than the total length / height of the device, only the first part of the flap will be folded and folded over the bottle, the neck passing through the central opening of the flap, the bottle will be perfectly wedged. . The wedging device of the invention is designed to be of lower height than the height of a packing box / carton in which said device will be installed, the packing box being provided for a height greater than the bottles. to welcome. The packaging device of the invention will be quite suitable for bottles of various shapes to be placed in the two housings of the same device, for example both the Burgundy or Bordelaise bottle, as well as those more slender of the Ligérienne bottle type, Provençal, and flute from Alsace. For slender bottles which may protrude from the height of the device and be close to the height of the crate, the packaging device will be used by folding just the first part of the flap, the upper end of the bottle will be protruding from the central opening of this flap in order to be well maintained, a space remaining above the bottle to close the case.

For a bottle smaller than the length / height of a housing of the device, the two parts of the flap will be folded to be folded over the inside of the housing, the second part (middle part) with a hole will pass around the neck of the bottle, while the first part (termination part) will have been folded against the opposite panel. The smaller size bottle will therefore be properly protected in its housing and wedged by the second perforated part of the flap.

Advantageously, each housing has a panel which is opposite the panel provided with the wedging element, this facing panel comprising at least one slot transverse to the length of the panel and arranged (at a height) in a manner suitable for receiving a tab which is pre-cut at a fold line of the flap, which allows the flap to be locked when folded. Indeed, preferably, the device comprises means for blocking the wedging element in cooperation with a housing, in particular the locking means comprising at least one tongue on the wedging element, and at least one slot for receiving the wedging element. the tongue, arranged on a panel facing the wedging element. As a variant, the flap may have a section very slightly greater than the interior section of the housing, and is held in force by fitting into the housing, the peripheral edge of the wedging element resting against the panels so as to wedge the wedging element.

In an alternative embodiment, the panel provided with the wedging element is divided into several parts (more than two) separated by fold lines (more than two fold lines) transverse to the length of the panel, each part having a section corresponding to the section of the wedging element (equal to the section of the housing at which the wedging element will be arranged). It is thus possible to provide an arrangement of the wedging element at different positions (more than two positions) of the housing height. In each part is designed a central hole cut or knockout as a means of cooperation with a container.

In yet another variant embodiment, the panel provided with the wedging element comprises more than two fold lines regularly spaced and transverse to the length of the panel, the distance separating two consecutive fold lines corresponding to a Euclidean division of the depth. of the wedging element in order to increase the number of possible arrangement heights of the wedging element. Preferably, each fold line is drawn with a cut or knockout hole such that the hole has its diameter coinciding with the fold line. This configuration will provide more selection possibilities to best suit the height of the container intended to be installed in the housing.

The invention also relates to a blank made of semi-rigid or rigid collapsible material, in particular of corrugated cardboard or cardboard, comprising at least two pairs of four adjacent longitudinal panels which can be folded longitudinally, the pairs being symmetrical with respect to a fold line separating the two central panels of all the panels (and possibly being cuttable), one of the panels, in particular the panel preceding the free end panel of each pair, having at least two fold lines spaced apart and parallel, transverse to the length of the panel, providing at least three parts in the panel including a so-called lower fixed part, an end part, in particular projecting beyond the length of the panel, and an intermediate part, the end part being foldable with respect to the intermediate part, while the intermediate part remains coplanar with the fixed part or can be bent with respect to the end part, preferably the The terminal and intermediate parts having an identical section. In particular, the end and intermediate parts each have a section equivalent to the interior section of a housing which is intended to be made volume by folding the other panels of the pair.

According to one characteristic, the panel comprising the at least three parts with transverse fold lines, comprises at least one pre-cut in the form of a tab (coplanar in the blank as long as there is no folding of the parts), while the panel which follows the one immediately adjacent to the panel with transverse fold lines has at least one slit which is transverse to the length of the panel. Preferably, the middle part has a pre-cut tongue at the fold line with the end part, so that when the end part is bent, the tongue protrudes from the general surface of the middle part, while the panel which follows that immediately adjacent to the panel provided with the transverse fold lines has a slit transverse to the length of the panel and aligned with the fold line separating the intermediate part from the end part.

Preferably, the fold line of the two central panels separating the two pairs of panels is precut and breakable, so as to put in volume only one housing.

The invention also relates to a packaging assembly comprising a packaging box, in particular in a rigid collapsible or semi-rigid collapsible material, in particular in corrugated cardboard or cardboard, and at least one aforementioned separation and wedging device. of the invention. The packing box makes it possible to complete the protection of the separation and wedging device, in particular at the bottom level because the bottom of the two housings of the separation and wedging device is open.

In a preferred embodiment, the box is made of a rigid collapsible or semi-rigid collapsible material, in particular of corrugated cardboard or cardboard, and comprises a bottom of which a thickness called the intermediate thickness, is sandwiched between two solid surfaces (called outer and inner), the intermediate thickness comprising at least one air space (intended to be in front of / facing the containers intended to be housed in the body), preferably the intermediate thickness consisting of a solid layer of material and provided with through holes the section of which corresponds to or is less than the section of a container (the section of a bottle bottom) intended to be housed in the case. The outer solid surface of the bottom of the box is in a preferred example a fully solid hinged flap which overlaps a hinged intermediate flap and provided with through holes, while preferably the inner solid surface is formed of hinged half flaps.

The air layer interposed in the full thickness of the bottom, provides a thickness of air facing the bottoms of the bottles, unexpectedly constituting a damping layer giving improved protection to the packaging carton and therefore to the bottles; in particular if the packaging box is dropped vertically, the bottles remain intact.

According to one characteristic, the box results from the volume setting of a blank which comprises foldable panels intended to produce a peripheral wall of the box, foldable flaps intended to produce the closed bottom of the box, said flaps comprising in the adjacent blank, a first flap whose surface is intended to correspond to the half-surface of the bottom, a second flap which is completely solid and has a surface corresponding to the entire section of the bottom, a third flap identical to the first flap, and a fourth surface flap corresponding to the entire section of the bottom and comprising regularly distributed through holes of section equal to or smaller than the section of the containers intended to be packaged.

The object of the invention is to provide a solution for the protection of containers during their handling and / or transport, the invention also relates to a packaging box made of a rigid collapsible or semi-rigid collapsible material, in particular in cardboard or corrugated cardboard, comprising a peripheral wall formed of panels, and a bottom connected to the peripheral wall, the box being characterized in that the bottom has a thickness called the intermediate thickness comprising at least one air space which is sandwiched between two solid surfaces (called outer and inner) from shutters folded from the peripheral wall. The air gap is intended to be in line (facing the bottom) of the containers intended to be housed in the body.

Thus, the air layer interposed in the full thickness of the bottom, provides a thickness of air facing the bottoms of the bottles, unexpectedly constituting a damping layer providing improved protection to the packaging carton and therefore to the bottles; in particular if the packaging box is dropped vertically, the bottles remain intact.

According to one characteristic, the intermediate thickness consists of a solid layer of material which is provided with through holes, in particular consisting of a folded flap provided with through holes. The shutter provided with through holes is sandwiched between the two solid surfaces which each consist of at least one folded shutter of section at least equal to the section of said shutter provided with through holes. For example, the two solid surfaces are for one made up of two half-flaps folded in coplanar manner, and for the other of a single flap, or else the two solid surfaces are each made up of a single flap.

Preferably, the through holes are regularly distributed. Indeed, when the packing box is intended to contain bottles whose bottom is of the same diameter, the bottles will be distributed regularly on the bottom of the box. As a variant, the through holes can be irregularly distributed; depending on the type of containers to be packed and protected, depending on the support section of the containers which may be different and / or the volume occupied in a horizontal direction which may be different, the distribution of the through holes will be adapted so as to be able to accommodate the containers next to each other without touching each other while ensuring that the air space provided by each through hole is intended to be in line (facing the bottom) of the containers.

According to another characteristic, the through holes have a section equal to or smaller than the section of the containers intended to be housed in the box, in particular equal to or smaller than the section of a bottle bottom.

Preferably, the through holes are of circular section.

In one embodiment, the bottom comprises four folded flaps, two solid half-flaps each corresponding to half of the bottom, a so-called intermediate flap (made of solid material) which corresponds to the bottom section and is provided with through holes, and a solid shutter corresponding to the bottom section, the intermediate shutter provided with the holes being sandwiched between the two half-shutters (folded in coplanar manner) and the solid shutter (the two half-shutters on the one hand, and the solid shutter on the other hand, constituting respectively the two solid surfaces).

Advantageously, the packing box is used to transport containers housed vertically side by side, in particular bottles, the through holes (generating the air gap) being in line with the containers intended to be housed in the box. The bottom of the packing box has a cushioning bottom function Thus, the protection of the containers at their bottom is much better guaranteed than with a usual packing box.

The invention also relates to a blank of semi-rigid or rigid collapsible material, in particular of corrugated cardboard or cardboard, intended after setting to form the aforementioned packaging box of the invention, the blank in a preferred embodiment. comprising foldable panels intended to produce the peripheral wall of the body, foldable flaps intended to produce the closed bottom of the box, said flaps comprising in the blank in an adjacent manner, a first solid flap, the surface of which is intended to correspond to the half-surface of the bottom, a second flap which is completely full and has a surface corresponding to the entire section of the bottom, a third flap identical to the first flap (corresponding to the half-surface of the bottom), and a fourth flap of surface corresponding to the entire cross section of the bottom and comprising through holes, preferably regularly distributed through holes.

To complete the protection of the containers inside the box according to their periphery, the packing box may include one or more devices for separating and wedging the containers. The separation and wedging device (s) may be those described above specific to the invention.

Finally, the invention relates to the use for e-commerce transport of a device for separating and wedging containers such as bottles of the invention or of a packaging assembly of the invention.

In the remainder of the description, the term “height”, the qualifiers “upper”, “lower”, “top” and “bottom” of an element are used in the context of a use of the separation and wedging device. with respect to a vertical concept of packaging, the opening of the device being directed upwards to accommodate a container introduced vertically.

By "length" is meant the longest dimension of the device, that is to say that corresponding to the height, by "width", the dimension perpendicular to the length and extending according to the extension of the two housings. , and by “depth”, the dimension relating to a housing in a horizontal plane, and perpendicular to the length and to the width.

• [Fig. 1] ou figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de séparation et de calage selon un exemple de réalisation de l'invention, avec des éléments de calage à différentes hauteurs.
• [Fig. 2] ou figure 2 correspond à la vue opposée en perspective de la figure 1, avant le pliage finalisé des éléments de calage.
• [Fig. 3] ou figure 3 représente un flan à plat qui permet après mis en volume de constituer le dispositif de la figure 1.
• [Fig. 4] ou figure 4 est une vue en perspective du flan de la figure 3 mis partiellement en volume.
• [Fig. 5] ou figure 5 montre un carton d'emballage dans lequel est agencé au moins un dispositif de la figure 1 pour caler des bouteilles de hauteurs différentes.
• [Fig. 6] ou figure 6 illustre un flan de carton d'emballage amélioré selon l'invention.
• [Fig. 7] ou figure 7 est une vue en perspective d'une étape de mise en volume du flan de la figure 6, montrant le dessous du carton d'emballage.
• [Fig. 8] ou figure 8 est une vue en perspective de l'étape qui suit celle de la figure 7.
• [Fig. 9] ou figure 9 est une vue en perspective de dessous du carton d'emballage dont le fond est fermé.
• [Fig. 10] ou figure 10 illustre une variante de réalisation du dispositif de séparation et de calage.
• [Fig. 11] ou figure 11 illustre une autre variante de réalisation du dispositif de séparation et de calage.
• [Fig. 12] ou figure 12 illustre une vue schématique partielle et en coupe de la caisse d'emballage au niveau de son fond.

The present invention is now described with the aid of examples which are only illustrative and in no way limitative of the scope of the invention, and from the accompanying illustrations, in which:

• [ Fig. 1] or figure 1 shows a perspective view of a separation and wedging device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, with wedging elements at different heights.
• [ Fig. 2] or figure 2 corresponds to the opposite perspective view of the figure 1 , before the final folding of the wedging elements.
• [ Fig. 3] or figure 3 represents a flat blank which allows after volume to constitute the device of the figure 1 .
• [ Fig. 4] or figure 4 is a perspective view of the blank of the figure 3 partially put in volume.
• [ Fig. 5] or figure 5 shows a packaging box in which is arranged at least one device of the figure 1 to wedge bottles of different heights.
• [ Fig. 6] or figure 6 illustrates an improved packaging carton blank according to the invention.
• [ Fig. 7] or figure 7 is a perspective view of a step of volume formation of the blank of the figure 6 , showing the underside of the shipping carton.
• [ Fig. 8] or figure 8 is a perspective view of the step following that of the figure 7 .
• [ Fig. 9] or figure 9 is a perspective view from below of the packaging carton with the bottom closed.
• [ Fig. 10] or figure 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the separation and wedging device.
• [ Fig. 11] or figure 11 illustrates another variant embodiment of the separation and wedging device.
• [ Fig. 12] or figure 12 illustrates a partial schematic and sectional view of the packing box at its bottom.

The separation and wedging device 1 of the invention illustrated in the figures is intended to separate and individually wedge containers 2 in a packing box 3, such as a packing box, as can be seen on the figure. figure 5 .

The containers 2 taken as an example here are bottles which are intended to be housed vertically in the packaging box 3.

In the example illustrated, the packaging box 3 is of usual dimensions for accommodating six bottles. As the separation and wedging device 1 is preferably designed for two bottles, three separation and wedging devices 1 will be arranged in the packaging carton 3.

The separation and wedging device 1 is for example made of cardboard, preferably corrugated cardboard. Next to the figure 3 , the separation and wedging device 1 consists of a flat blank 10 which can easily be volumeized to reach the device of figures 1 and 2 , in order to provide two hollow cylindrical housings 4A and 4B.

The cylindrical housings preferably have a square section, but could have another section geometry.

The housings 4A and 4B are open at their two lower 40 and upper 41 distal ends ( figure 2 ). The separation and wedging device 1 is intended to be inserted vertically into the packaging box 3 ( figure 5 ). The lower end 40 does not need to be full, and is therefore open (which saves in quantity of material during manufacture) since the bottles will be intended to rest in the closed bottom of the packaging carton 3. L 'upper end 41 is open to allow the introduction of a bottle 2 in the housing.

The section of housings 4A and 4B is designed to accommodate bottles of different diameters.

The height of the slots 4A and 4B is less than the height of the packing box 3.

According to the invention, the separation and wedging device 1 comprises for each housing 4A, 4B, a wedging element 5 intended to cooperate with a bottle 2 and able to adapt to the height of the bottle. Thus, the separation and wedging device 1 allows wedging, in particular with a view to their transport, of two bottles which may be of different height.

The wedging element 5 is integrated into the cardboard blank 10. The wedging element 5 is able to be folded once the cardboard blank 10 has been put into volume, and folded to a height of the housing which is a function of the height of the bottle. The wedging element 5 is intended to be folded, folded over the open section of the associated housing 4A, 4B, thus closing the interior section. As will be detailed later, the wedging element 5 is able to be folded from different heights of the housing to adapt to several heights of bottles.

The wedging element 5 comprises a means of cooperation 50 with a bottle 2 to keep the latter vertically, and to ensure its wedging in the associated housing 4A, 4B. Preferably, the wedging element 5 forms a solid flap of section equivalent to the section of the hollow interior of the housing. The cooperation means 50 consists of a central orifice passing through the thickness of the flap 5.

The flap 5 is intended to be folded over a bottle 2, the orifice 50 passing around the neck 20 of the bottle 2. The orifice 50 is large enough to adapt to different diameters of bottle necks or different diameters of sections. from the top of containers.

Next to the figure 3 , the cardboard blank 10 is designed to configure at least two housings 4A and 4B. The blank has two symmetrical pairs 10A and 10B of four longitudinal and adjacent panels 42, 43, 44 and 45. The panels are interconnected by longitudinal fold lines 42 'to 45'. The blank 10 has its end panels 45 free, while its central panels 42 connect the two pairs of panels along a fold line 42 'which can be pre-cut to detach the two pairs of plurality of panels if necessary, and separate them. future housing 4A and 4B. The longitudinal fold line 42 'is the axis of symmetry for the blank 10.

One of the panels of each pair has the wedging element 5. Preferably, the panel including the wedging element 5 is the panel 44 which precedes the end panel 45.

The four panels of each pair are all of the same height except for panel 44 with the wedging element 5.

For the setting in volume of each housing 4A, 4B, the first panel 43 adjacent to the central panel 42 is folded along the fold line 43 'and in a perpendicular plane, then the second adjacent panel 44 is folded along the fold line 44 'separating it from the first adjacent panel and in a perpendicular plane, and finally the end panel 45 is folded along the last longitudinal fold line 45 'and also in a perpendicular plane, so as to form a square section housing for the four panels 42 to 45, as illustrated on figures 1 and 2 . When the two housings 4A and 4B are produced, the end panels 45 of the two pairs are folded against each other, the faces external to the housings being pressed against one another.

Preferably, the panels 43, 44 and 45 adjacent to the central panels 42 are locally recessed at the longitudinal fold lines 43 ', 44' and 45 ', locally providing fold segments, which preferably facilitates folding. and makes it faster. Above all, these recesses located in the separation and wedging device 1 allow air circulation, and avoid confinement of dry air (harmful for wine bottles) in the housings 4A and 4B.

Preferably, the panels 42-45 have bevelled edges at their lower and upper corners.

Preferably, the end panels 45 have holes 45A and solid pre-cut and foldable elements 45B (preferably towards the top and bottom of the panels) which are intended to cooperate in the form of hooks with the holes 45A. , when the blank is fully set in volume and the end panels 45 are pressed against each other. The hooking tabs 45B ensure that the two housings 4A and 4B are held together against each other.

The panel 44 provided with the wedging element 5 comprises a first part called the lower fixed part 46, and in longitudinal continuity, at least two other extension parts integral and abutting said, on an end part 47 on the opposite side. of the lower fixed part 46, and on the other hand intermediate 48 connecting the lower fixed part 46 to the end part 47. The end part 47 is able to be folded relative to the intermediate part 48 along a first fold line 47 ' transverse to the length of the panel, and the intermediate part 48 being connected to the lower fixed part 46, is able to be folded along a second fold line 48 'transverse to the length of the panel.

The lower fixed part 46 and the two end and intermediate parts 47 and 48 are of the same width and correspond to the width of the panel 44.

When the blank 10 has been put in volume and before installation of a bottle in a housing 4A or 4B, the lower fixed part 46 and the two parts 47 and 48 extending to the lower fixed part 46 are aligned and coplanar, the end part 47 protruding (upwards) from the other panels 42, 43 and 45. The end part 47 protrudes by a length which corresponds to the depth of a housing (dimension orthogonal to the length and to the width of the device), and the length of the intermediate part 48 also corresponds to the depth of a housing, so that when the end part 47 or the intermediate part 48 is folded, it closes the housing.

The intermediate part 48 and the end part 47 each have a general surface which corresponds to the interior section of the associated housing.

Consequently, the panel 44 provided with the wedging element 5 comprises a first fold line 47 'and at least a second fold line 48' arranged at two different heights of the body of the panel 44, to delimit on the one hand, the end part 47 which when folded along the first fold line 47 'forms a first flap arranged at a certain height, and on the other hand the end part 47 and the intermediate part 48 which, once folded along the first line respectively fold 47 'and the second fold line 48', form a second flap arranged at another height which is lower than for the first flap.

The first fold line 47 'of the panel 44 is here aligned with the upper end edge 11 of the other panels 42, 43 and 45. As a variant, it could be in the lower vicinity of said upper edge 11. This arrangement of the first line folding 47 'provides a wedging element 5 arranged in the plane or in the immediate vicinity of the plane of the upper end opening 41 of the housings 4A and 4B.

The second fold line 48 'of the panel 44 is disposed lower than the first fold line 47', to provide a wedging element 5 arranged at a distance from and lower than the plane of the upper end opening 41 of the housings. 4A and 4B.

The wedging element 5 is therefore formed by one or both parts 47 and 48 respectively according to a single orthogonal flap, or an L-shaped flap relative to the panel 44 depending on the height of the bottle to be wedged. For a bottle with a height greater than the height of the separation and wedging device 1, the wedging element 5 is formed by the first flap formed by the orthogonal folding of the end part 47 relative to the intermediate part 48 which then remains coplanar with the lower fixed part 46. For a bottle of height less than the height where the first fold line 47 'of the end part 47 is located, the wedging element 5 is formed by the intermediate part 48 folded orthogonally with respect to to the lower fixed part 46 while the end part 47 has been folded orthogonally with respect to the intermediate part 48. The two parts 47 and 48 form a second flap which is L-shaped with respect to the lower fixed part 46, the intermediate part 48 closing the interior section of the housing, while the end part 47 is pressed against the central panel 42 opposite the panel 44.

Preferably, the intermediate part 48 comprises a locking tab 49 precut in the end part 47 and the base of which coincides with the first fold line 47 '. In combination, the central panel 42 opposite the panel 44 carrying the wedging element 5 has a receiving slot 51 of direction orthogonal to the length of the panel (i.e. a horizontal slot) which is arranged at a appropriate height to receive the tongue 49 in the configuration of the second flap, in order to lock in place the folded intermediate part 48, and therefore lock the wedging element 5 in its second position. Preferably, the end portion 47 likewise comprises a locking tab 49 on its distal edge to cooperate with another receiving slot 51 of the facing panel 44, the slot being in a direction orthogonal to the length of the panel and arranged at the appropriate height when folding the end portion 47 into the configuration of the first flap. As a variant, the end part 47 may not have a locking tab, as on the figures 10 and 11 , the locking of the wedging element 5 will be done slightly by force by fitting into the housing 4A, the section of the end part 47 being slightly greater than the section of the housing.

Other variant embodiments of the separation and wedging device 1 can be envisaged, in particular concerning the fold lines. The figure 10 shows for a housing three fold lines delimiting three parts 47, 48A and 48B to form three different flap positions in order to constitute a wedging element at a given height, each of the parts preferably comprising a wedging hole 50. The figure 11 shows several fold lines, two consecutive fold lines corresponding to a Euclidean division of the depth p of the wedging element 5 in order to increase the number of possible arrangement heights of the wedging element. Preferably, each fold line is drawn with a cut or knockout hole 50 such that the hole has its diameter in coincidence with the fold line.

The packaging carton 3 can be a usual parallelepipedal carton, the closed bottom of which is formed of two or four flaps.

Preferably, the invention provides a packaging cardboard 3 which is technically improved compared to a conventional cardboard box, all the more so as the separation and wedging device 1 is open at the lower ends 40 of the housings 4A and 4B. The packaging carton 3 of the invention has an impact damping function, in particular in the event of the carton falling vertically.

The packaging carton 3 of the invention comes from a blank 30 visible on the figure 6 and of which the last stages of the volume setting are illustrated next to the figures 7 to 9 .

The blank 30 of the packaging carton is preferably corrugated cardboard.

The blank 30 of the packaging carton usually comprises panels 31, 32, 33, 34 capable of being folded and a foldable glue tab 35, to form the peripheral wall of the packaging carton, as well as, to close the cover. 'upper opening of the packaging carton, of the flaps 36, 37, 38, 39, and to close the bottom 3A of the flaps 60, 61, 62, 63.

In a new way, the bottom 3A comprises, interposed between the shutters, an air layer 3 '( figure 12 ). The air layer 3 ′ is an air layer independent of the material constituting each shutter. In fact, when each shutter is made of corrugated cardboard, air is trapped between the two constituent cardboard sheets of the shutter. However, the air layer within the meaning of the invention is not this air arranged between the two constituent sheets of a shutter and therefore of the material constituting the blank of the body, the air layer 3 'is obtained by making a spacing between the shutters.

In the example shown, the bottom shutters 3A, at least for one of them, have a particular technical configuration. Thus, the blank 30 comprises to make the bottom 3A of the packaging carton 3, adjacent, a first foldable flap 60 (said half-flap) intended to close half of the bottom, a second flap 63 which is completely full and has a surface intended to correspond to the entire section the bottom 3A, a third flap 61 (said half-flap) identical to the first flap 60, and a fourth flap 62 with a perforated surface and intended to correspond to the entire section of the bottom 3A. This fourth flap 62 comprises through holes 64 which are regularly distributed and have a section equal to or less than the section of the containers intended to be packaged, in particular of section equal to or less than the section of the bottoms of bottles intended to be stored in the container. cardboard packaging. The air layer 3 ′ does not extend here over the entire surface area of the bottom but is only present at the level of the containers intended to be packaged. The air layer 3 'is obtained by leaving a space between the flaps which is designed by the through holes 64. Thus, the intermediate air layer or layer 3' is sandwiched between the outer surface element of the. packing box (here the flap 63) and the internal surface element of the packing box (here produced by the two half-flaps 60 and 61).

Once the blank 30 has been set in volume and the first and third flaps (half-flaps) 60 and 61 folded down, then the fourth flap 62 with holes 64 folded in turn on the first and third flaps, and finally, the second flap full 63 folded down and overlapping said fourth flap 62, the bottom 3A is then completed. To secure all of the flaps in order to keep the bottom 3A closed, the second and fourth flaps 62 and 63 are for example secured together by adhesive tape.

The through holes 64 are here of circular section.

The through holes 64 are arranged to be in line with the housings 4A and 4B (opposite the housings 4A and 4B with the upper thickness of the first and third flaps 60 and 61) of the separation and wedging devices 1 which are intended to be placed in the packing box 3.

The fourth flap 62 provided with through holes 64 is thus sandwiched between two full layers of cardboard formed by the first and third flaps 60 and 61, and the second flap 63. A layer or air space 3 'depending on the thickness through holes 64, and intended to be in line with the containers / bottles which will be housed in the packaging carton, is thus trapped in the thickness of the bottom 31 of the packaging carton, providing a shock-absorbing function.

Other variants can be envisaged to provide an air layer interposed in the full thickness of the bottom 3A.

Therefore, as shown in the figure 5 , the bottle separation and wedging device 1 according to the invention makes it possible to wedge and thus maintain a straight bottle in its housing 4A / 4B regardless of its diameter when the latter is smaller than the section of the housing 4A / 4B, because the neck of the bottle will be held in place, in particular by the orifice of the wedging element, whatever the height of the bottle; all bottles greater than the height of a housing will be maintained thanks to the first flap 47 forming the wedging element 5 of upper position, while all the bottles of size less than the length / height of a housing will be maintained by the second flap 48 forming the wedging element 5 of lower position.

In addition, the bottles installed in their housing 4A / 4B and wedged via their neck in the upper part, rest by their bottom in the packaging box 3 storing the separation and wedging devices 1, in particular rest on the flaps 60 and 61, the air gap 3 'which is trapped in the bottom 3A of the carton in line with each bottle bottom, making it possible to absorb the shock at the bottom of the bottles if the box falls, in particular vertically.

Claims (14)

Device for separating and wedging (1) containers such as bottles, the device being made of a rigid collapsible or semi-rigid collapsible material, in particular of cardboard or corrugated cardboard, comprising at least two hollow longitudinal housings (4A, 4B) , preferably cylindrical of square section, the outline of which is formed by a plurality of panels (42, 43, 44, 45) of longitudinal bodies, and each of the housings (4A, 4B) having at least one so-called upper distal end (41 ) which is open, characterized in that one of the panels of each housing (4A, 4B) has at least two fold lines (47 ', 48') spaced apart, parallel and transverse to the longitudinal body of the panel, so as to providing at least one flap (47, 48) towards the interior of a housing, folded with respect to the length of the body of the panel, at a position of at least two positions depending on the folding according to one, or the two fold lines, the flap forming a wedging element (5 ). Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the wedging element (5) is formed by a first flap (47) folded from the first fold line (47 ') which is a fold line arranged at the level or near the open upper distal end of each housing, or is formed by a second flap made from at least two parts (47, 48) folded along the two fold lines (47 ', 48'). Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the panel (44) provided with the wedging element (5) comprises a first part (46) forming a so-called lower longitudinal fixed part, and at least two parts, called part terminal (47) and intermediate part (48), which extend longitudinally and in the continuity of the lower fixed part (46), the end part (47) protruding from the other panels (42, 43, 45) of each housing (4A, 4B) and connected to the intermediate part (48) by the first transverse fold line (47 '), while the intermediate part (48) is connected to the lower part (46) by the second line of transverse folding (48 '). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wedging element (5) is formed either of a first flap (47) simple orthogonal to the rest of the body of the panel (44) while being folded from the first fold line (47 ') or a second L-shaped flap (47, 48) relative to the rest of the panel body (44) by being folded from the first and second lines of folding (47 ', 48'), a part (48) of the L of the flap being orthogonal to the body of the panel (44) and closing the interior of the housing, while that the other part (47) of the L is pressed against the opposite panel (42) facing the panel (44) of which the flap is integral. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two housings (4A, 4B) come from a single blank (10) comprising longitudinal panels (42, 43, 44, 45) capable of being folded longitudinally and articulated together, and a panel (44) of which is provided with at least two parts (47, 48) which can be folded transversely to form a first or a second flap. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for locking the wedging element (5) in cooperation with a housing (4A, 4B), in particular the locking means comprising at least one tongue (49) on the wedging element, and at least one slot (51) for receiving the tongue, arranged on a panel (42) facing the wedging element. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wedging element (5) comprises a means of cooperation (50) with the container intended to be installed in the housing, in particular comprises as means of cooperation (50), a central orifice, cut or knockout, preferably said at least one flap which forms the wedging element (5), and is at least in two parts (47, 48) of which a single part is folded or the two parts are folded, is such that each of its parts (47, 48) is provided as cooperation means (50) with a central orifice, cut or knockout. Blank in semi-rigid or rigid collapsible material, in particular of corrugated cardboard or cardboard, comprising at least two pairs (10A, 10B) of four adjacent longitudinal panels (42, 43, 44, 45) which can be folded longitudinally, the pairs (10A, 10B) being symmetrical with respect to a fold line (42 ') separating the two central panels (42) of the set of panels, one of the panels, in particular the panel (44) preceding the free end panel (45) of each pair, having at least two spaced and parallel fold lines (47 ', 48'), transverse to the length of the panel, providing at least three parts in the panel (46, 47, 48) of which a part fixed (46), an end part (47), in particular protruding from the length of the panel, and an intermediate part (48), the end part (47) being foldable with respect to the intermediate part (48), while the intermediate part (48) remains coplanar with the fixed part (46) or can be bent relative to the end part (47), preferably the end (47) and intermediate (48) parts having an identical section. Blank according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the panel (44) comprising the at least three parts (46, 47, 48) with transverse fold lines (47 ', 48'), comprises at least one tongue-shaped pre-cut (49), while the panel (42) which follows the one immediately adjacent to the panel (44) with the transverse fold lines has at least one slit (51) which is transverse to the length of the panel. Blank according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the fold line (42 ') of the two central panels (42) separating the two pairs (10A, 10B) of panels, is precut and breakable. Packaging assembly comprising a packaging box (3), in particular made of a rigid collapsible or semi-rigid collapsible material, in particular of corrugated cardboard or cardboard, and at least one separation and wedging device (1) according to the any one of claims 1 to 7. Packaging assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the box (3) is made of a rigid foldable or semi-rigid foldable material, in particular of cardboard or corrugated cardboard, and comprises a bottom (3A) of which a thickness called thickness interlayer, is sandwiched between two solid surfaces, the interlayer comprising at least one air space, preferably the interlayer consisting of a solid layer of material (62) and provided with through holes (64) the section of which corresponds to or is less than the section of a container intended to be housed in the crate. Packaging assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the box (3) results from the volume setting of a blank (30) which comprises panels (31, 32, 33, 34) which are foldable intended to produce a peripheral wall of the body, foldable flaps (60, 61, 62, 63) intended to form the closed bottom (3A) of the body, said flaps comprising in the blank (30) adjacently, a first flap (60) the surface of which is intended to correspond to the half-surface of the bottom (3A), a second flap (63) which is completely full and has a surface corresponding to the entire section of the bottom (3A), a third flap (61) ) identical to the first flap, and a fourth flap (62) of surface corresponding to the entire section of the bottom (3A) and comprising through holes (64) regularly distributed with a section equal to or less than the section of the containers intended to be packed. Use for e-commerce transport of a separation and wedging device (1) for containers such as bottles according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or of a packaging assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

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