FR2641523A1 - Package of the sheath type for a set of pots or the like, including wedging means - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a package made of cardboard or the like, for encasing one or more articles 60 defining, in a bottom region, at least one cavity 64, constituted by a sheath 20, 30, 40, 50 encasing the article or articles and of the type including wedging means capable of being engaged in the cavity or cavities in order to prevent the article or articles from moving in relation to the sheath. According to the invention, these wedging means 100 comprise at least one flap 102 cut in a bottom wall 50 of the said sheath, the flap comprising a central part 112 hinged to the bottom wall by a first line of folding 104 and having, at least locally, a width approximately equal to the width of the associated cavity 64, and two side parts 114, 116 which are located on either side of the central part and are hinged on the latter by two second lines of folding 118, 120 which are substantially inclined in relation to the first line of folding, and the bottom of the package holds the central part of the or each flap in wedging engagement in the cavity by bearing of the side parts of the flap against the said bottom.

Description

 The present invention relates generally to packaging, and more specifically relates to a sheath-type packaging for groups of objects such as pots or the like.

 As a general rule, a package of this type is produced from a cardboard or similar blank folded so as to form a sheath surrounding the group of objects on four of its six faces, its two lateral faces being open.

 In such packaging, it is necessary to provide wedging means which, by penetrating into cavities existing in or between the objects in a bottom region, prevent said objects from sliding relative to the sheath and therefore leaving through the openings side of it.

 French Patent No. 2,550,515 illustrates an example of this type of packaging. It includes locking surfaces which extend astride the fold lines of the sleeve between its front and rear faces and its bottom face, and which are pressed inwards into the spaces between the pots during the process of 'unpacking.

 Although this known packaging gives all satisfaction with regard to the mutual setting of the sheath and the pots, it nevertheless has the disadvantage that the depression of the locking surfaces lets appear in the surfaces of the sheath, in particular in its front surfaces and rear, holes the size of said locking surfaces. These holes on the one hand affect the aesthetics of the packaging, and on the other hand undesirably limit the surface available for inscriptions, designs, logos and the like which usually appear on this type of product.

 The present invention aims to propose a packaging whose locking means are designed so as not to modify the appearance or the structure of the sheath on its front and rear faces, or on its upper face, while ensuring effective wedging of the objects. such as the pots in the associated packaging.

 To this end, the present invention relates to a cardboard or similar packaging for wrapping one or more objects defining in a bottom region at least one cavity, constituted by a sheath enveloping the object or objects and of the type comprising wedging means capable of engage in the cavity or cavities to prevent movement of the object or objects relative to the sheath, characterized in that the wedging means comprise at least one flap cut out from a bottom wall of said sheath, the flap comprising a central articulated part to the bottom wall by a first fold line and having at least locally a width close to the width of the associated cavity, as well as two lateral parts located on either side of the central part and articulated on the latter by two second fold lines substantially inclined with respect to the first fold line, said lateral parts having from their respective fold line an extension greater than the extension of the central part from its fold line, said lateral parts thus being able to bear by their end regions against the inner surface of the bottom wall to maintain the central part in setting engagement in the cavity.

Preferred aspects of the packaging according to the invention are as follows
- To facilitate the re-entry of the lateral parts of the shutter into the cavity, the bottom wall has notches adjacent to a cutting line of the shutter opposite the first fold line;
- A line for cutting the shutter opposite the first fold line has a part offset towards the outside and corresponding to the central part;
- The two second fold lines start from the two ends of the first fold line and converge towards each other;
the outline of the flap is defined by the first fold line, two first cut lines located on either side of said fold line and inclined at an angle with respect thereto, and a second cut line connecting the ends of the first cutting lines along a generally rectilinear path as a whole;
- the transitions between the first and second cutting lines are rounded;
- Said second cutting line defines, at the lateral parts, notches capable of receiving an associated edge of the bottom wall to immobilize the flap in an intermediate position;
- in the case where the sheath has at least one open lateral end face having dimensions such that the object or objects can pass through it, the first fold line of at least one wedging device is substantially inclined relative to a horizontal straight line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sheath;
- in the case of a group of one or more longitudinal rows of pots secured in the region of their upper end and separated by cavities in their bottom region, at least one wedging flap is provided per row of pots ;
- The first fold line of each wedging device is then substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve.

Other aspects, aims and advantages of the present invention will appear better on reading the description which follows of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank for making a package according to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a group of jars packed with the blank of Figure 1, once shaped;
Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the group of packaged pots of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a wedging device provided in the blank of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 4 in the chock position;
Figure 6 is a plan view of a first alternative embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7 is a plan view of a second alternative embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7a is a perspective view illustrating a particular implementation of this second variant;
Figure 8 is a plan view of a third alternative embodiment of the invention;
Figure 9 is a plan view of a fourth alternative embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 9a is a sectional view illustrating a particular implementation of this fourth variant.

 Referring firstly to FIG. 1, a blank 10 for packaging incorporating wedging devices according to the invention firstly comprises, in a conventional manner, an upper face zone 20, in the present example essentially square, two lateral face zones 30, 40 and two bottom half-zones 50a, 50b capable of being brought into overlap on their hatched zones 52a, 52b and secured by gluing, or even by mechanical locking. Fold lines 23, 24 separate the upper face zone and the lateral zones while fold lines 35, 45 separate said lateral zones from the two associated bottom half zones.

 Such a blank 10 is intended to be shaped like a sheath defining an interior space essentially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with a square base, in which a group of four pots or the like is placed, containing for example a dairy product.

 In Figures 2 and 3 is illustrated the blank shaped, the pots being designated by the references 60a, 60b and 60b, 60d, respectively, in these two figures. The four pots, conventionally, are connected together essentially rigidly by the edges of their respective collars, indicated at 62. In addition, they define between them in the region of their bottom cavities 64, in a manner also well known.

 For simplicity, the bottom of the packaging is shown in a single part designated by the reference 50 in these figures.

 In accordance with the present invention, there are provided means forming shims which have the object of preventing the unitary group of four pots from sliding laterally (to the left or to the right in FIG. 3) and unexpectedly leaving the packaging in the form of a sheath by one or other of the open side faces thereof.

 These wedging means here comprise two wedging devices, generally designated by the reference 100, provided substantially in the middle of the two bottom half-zones 50a and 50b, as shown in FIG. 1.

 According to the invention, and with reference to Figures 1 to 5, each wedging device is constituted by a flap 102 of generally triangular or trapezoidal shape delimited by a relatively short fold line 104 parallel to the fold lines 35, 45, c that is to say at the longitudinal axis of the sheath, and by a cutout which comprises two lines 106, 108 extending symmetrically at an angle on either side of the fold line 104, starting from the latter, and a line in the form of an arc of a circle 110 which joins the ends of the lines 106, 108 opposite to said fold line. Preferably, the transitions between lines 106, 108 and line 110 of the cut are rounded, as illustrated.

 The flap thus defined is divided into a central zone 112 and into two lateral zones 114, 116 by two fold lines 118, 120 which each leave from one end of the fold line 104 to join the curved cutting line 110 in the middle region thereof. In the example illustrated, the fold lines 118, 120 converge slightly to give the central zone 112 an essentially trapezoidal shape, the lateral zones being of generally triangular outline. Finally, there are provided in each of the zones 50a, 50b of the blank two notches 122, 124 which extend from the cutting line 110 in the direction opposite to the folding line 104, essentially perpendicular to the latter. these notches is preferably of the same order of magnitude as the length of the fold line 104, and here substantially equal.

 According to an essential aspect of the invention, the entire wedging device is dimensioned such that the length "L" of each of the fold lines 106, 108 is substantially greater than the distance "M" between the line of folding 104 and the region of the cutting line 110 located opposite it, that is to say in the vicinity of the notches 122, 124 and the opposite ends of the folding lines 118, 120. In in other words, from their respective fold lines, the lateral zones have a greater extension than the central zone. In the example illustrated, oh the line 110 has the shape of an arc of a circle, this means that the center "C" of this arc is transferred at a substantial distance behind the point "P" which is at the intersection of the straight lines on which the cutting lines 106, 108 rest.

 This condition is nevertheless valid only in the case where the line 110 is an arc of a circle, which is of course optional.

 The use of a packaging blank equipped with such wedging devices is as follows. The flaps 102 of each of the wedges being for the moment maintained substantially in the plane of the blank, the latter is shaped so as to circumscribe a group of four pots 60a to 60d and closed on itself, for example by gluing as indicated it above. Each of the wedging devices 100 is dimensioned and positioned on the blank so that, in this situation, its central zone 112 is located directly above the cavity 64 existing between a pair of pots in the same row, and its width, defined by the length of the fold line 104, either substantially equal to or slightly less than the distance between the base of the two pots.

 In this situation, pressure inwards is exerted, either manually or automatically in an appropriate station in a packaging line, on the central zone 112 of each wedging device 100. this part therefore begins to penetrate in the space between the two associated pots, while the two lateral zones 114, 116, which by geometry cannot penetrate this space, begin to fold outwardly towards each other around the fold lines 118, 120. In this situation, the zone 112 is slightly inclined inward relative to the plane of the bottom 50 of the package while, due to their pivoting, the rounded end portions of the lateral zones now extend over a certain distance towards the outside in relation to this plan.

 Said end portions can then be grasped, manually or automatically, and brought closer to one another parallel to the fold line 104 so that the lateral zones 114, 116 continue to pivot outwards, and this until that the edges 114b, 116b of the lateral zones which correspond to the cutting line 110 are located opposite the notches 122, 124. It may be noted that, during this movement, the lateral zones cannot fully penetrate in the interior space of the packaging because the length "L" of said edges is greater than the width "M" of the bottom opening created during this action on the flap 102.

 Once this position is reached, the marginal parts of the lateral zones 114, 116, in the vicinity of their respective edges 114b, 116b, are caused to penetrate into said notches, the depth of which is such that it allows said lateral zones to pass entirely in the interior space of the packaging, between the two pots, when additional pressure is exerted on the central zone 112 or else on the lateral zones.

During this operation, it can be noted that the lateral zones make approximately a right angle with respect to the central zone 112, so that the pots do not prevent the whole of the flap 102 from penetrating inside the sheath and occupy, in width, the space between them.

 This movement is continued until the marginal parts of the lateral zones, sliding in the notches 122, 124, end up coming out of said notches inside the packaging. Then said lateral zones, by the play of the elasticity of the material constituting the blank, move apart from one another outwards until they come to bear against the adjacent lateral faces of the two pots. In this situation, the free ends of the edges 114a, 116a of the lateral zones 114 and 116, corresponding to the cutting lines 106, 108, bear against the inner face of the bottom wall 50 of the blank, and therefore cannot pass through. The central zone 112 is thus maintained in a position substantially inclined with respect to the horizontal, between the two adjacent pots, and prevents the pots from sliding laterally with respect to the packaging (to the left or the right in Figure 3).

 It can be noted here that, in the final position of the wedge, the inclination of the central part 112 relative to the plane of the bottom 50 is determined by the angle a between the cutting lines 106, 108 and the folding lines 118 , 120, respectively. This inclination is preferably between 45 and 90 degrees.

 FIG. 5 illustrates in detail the device 100 in its wedging position. It can be observed that the flap 102 (zones 112, 114 and 116) can no longer come out from inside the packaging, because it is then practically impossible to bring the two lateral zones 114, 116 opposite. notches 122 which allow their passage through the bottom 50 of the package.

 Thus the present invention makes it possible to obtain a practically inviolable wedging of the pots in their packaging, and this by using exclusively blank material corresponding to the underside of the packaging, that is to say invisibly under normal conditions of product presentation. This is particularly advantageous in that the front and rear faces 30 and 40 of the packaging, as well as its upper face 20, are left intact and fully available for the presentation of the various patterns and inscriptions usually appearing on this type of packaging.

 As indicated, the central zone 112 may have a slightly trapezoidal shape; it is then particularly well suited to the case where the pots have side walls vis-à-vis which converge slightly upwards, as illustrated. In this way, said central zone is applied against the walls of the pots substantially over the entire extent of its edges, defined by the fold lines 118, 120. This gives the setting obtained great rigidity, with practically no longitudinal play between the pots and their sheath.

 In this regard, and to further increase this rigidity, it is possible to give the central zone 112 transverse dimensions slightly greater than the width of the space between the neighboring pots. In this way, the establishment of the wedging device induces a certain deformation of said central zone, which is thus more tightly applied against the pots.

 In the present configuration of the invention, with four pots arranged in two rows of two, it is advantageous to provide two wedging devices, capable of coming to effect the locking between the two pots of a respective row. But it is understood that one can also use only one wedging device.

 More generally, in the case where the packaging is associated with several rows of several pots, there is advantageously provided at least one wedging device per row, any other arrangement which may also be adopted.

 In addition, in the case of the packaging of primary containers in the form of two groups of superposed pots which are not integral with one another, it is particularly preferable to secure the blocking of the lower group using a or of several devices according to the invention, while the upper group will be immobilized in the sleeve using one or more arrangements as described for example in French patent No. 2,550,515 or in the German patent application No. 35 12 599.

 FIGS. 6 to 9 show alternative embodiments of the present invention. In these figures, elements or parts identical or similar to those of the preceding figures are designated by the same reference numbers.

 In the variant of FIG. 6, the two fold lines 118, 120 converge so as to meet at the level of the cutout 110. The latter also comprises, in a central region located opposite the line of folding 104, a portion offset towards the outside as indicated in 110a. This variant is advantageous in that, during the insertion of the flap 102 by the pressure exerted on its central zone 112, the progressive folding of the lateral zones 114, 116 around the fold lines 118, 120 is controlled by the support marginal parts of said lateral zones against the recesses 110b, 110c which delimit this offset portion 110a. Thus, after an initial re-entry phase, said marginal parts occupy a position which facilitates their penetration into the notches 122, 124. In addition, the flap is stabilized in this position, which can constitute a waiting position during which additional operations are carried out during the packaging process.

 Furthermore, it can be seen in FIG. 6 that the cutout 110 consists of a succession of straight line segments, having a generally rectilinear profile.

 FIG. 7 illustrates a second alternative embodiment, which differs from that of FIG. 6 by the arrangement of the fold lines 118, 120, here similar to that of FIG. 4, and by the fact that the profile of the cutout 110 is this time concave as a whole. FIG. 7a illustrates in perspective an intermediate phase of the shaping of the wedging device.

 In FIG. 8, the cutouts 106, 108 are slightly convex, while the cutout 110, which no longer has an offset central part, is here again concave.

 Finally, FIG. 9 illustrates a variant in which the cutting line 110 comprises, in addition to the offset central part 110a, two bosses 110d, 110e situated on either side of it and which delimit at their outer edge two notches 110f, 110g. As shown in FIG. 9a, these notches, into which the edge of the bottom zone 50 corresponding to the offset part 110a of the cutting line 110 engages, make it possible to stabilize the flap in the intermediate position illustrated, in which the marginal parts of the lateral zones are prepositioned opposite the notches 122, 124.

 Of course, those skilled in the art will be able to imagine any other alternative embodiment in accordance with the spirit of the invention. For example, in the case where the material used is sufficiently flexible, the notches 122 and 124 may be eliminated. In this case, the entire shutter will be forcibly engaged towards the inside of the packaging, the bottom zone 50 then deforming to a sufficient extent in the vicinity of the cutting line 110 to allow said shutter to pass.

 Another possibility consists in organizing and dimensioning the notches either to slide the marginal parts of the lateral zones 114, 116 there, but to give the bottom zone 50 in this region the deformability necessary for the passage of the flap inwards. .

 Furthermore, as indicated, the various parts of the wedging device may have any contours, provided that the conditions are met so that the lateral zones, and therefore the entire flap, remain blocked at the inside the packaging after shaping.

 In addition, although the application of the invention has been described above to packages with a square or rectangular upper face, adapted to the upper face of the group of objects to be packaged, it is understood that it also applies to groups of extremely varied stitch objects. It may for example be a group of integral pots arranged in a circle, the overall outline of which is essentially round. In this case, it is possible to design the sheath so that the group of pots is kept trapped in it without the intervention of longitudinal wedging means. In this situation, one or more wedging devices in accordance with this invention can be used not for a longitudinal setting, but to prevent the group of pots from rotating on itself in the sleeve. These devices can be provided between any pair of pots, and it is therefore understood that, in general, they can have an entirely arbitrary orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the sheath.

 Another solution can of course consist in using one or more devices to perform both the longitudinal setting and the rotation setting.

 The packaging 100 is preferably made of cardboard, but it is understood that any other sheet material having similar mechanical properties may be suitable.

 Finally, the invention advantageously applies to the overpacking of pots for food products or the like, but it is understood that it can be applied to any object or group of objects defining at least one cavity in the region of a bottom. , cavity into which a wedging device according to the invention or several of these devices can penetrate.

Claims (1)

 CLAIM  Cardboard or similar packaging for enveloping uo or more objects (60) defining in a bottom region at least one cavity (64), constituted by a sheath (20, 30, 40, 50) enveloping the object or objects and of the type comprising wedging means capable of engaging in the cavity or cavities to prevent movement of the object or objects relative to the sheath, characterized in that the wedging means (100) comprise at least one flap (102) cut out from a wall bottom (50) of said sheath, the flap comprising a central part (112) articulated to the bottom wall by a first fold line (104) and having at least locally a width close to the width of the associated cavity (64) , as well as two lateral parts (114, 116) located on either side of the central part and articulated on the latter by two second fold lines (118, 120) substantially inclined relative to the first fold line, and characterized in or be in that the bottom of the packaging maintains the central part of the or each flap in wedging engagement in the cavity by pressing the lateral parts of the flap against said bottom.