FR2639918A1 - CARTON OR THE LIKE PACKING COMPRISING MECHANICAL LOCKING MEANS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging 100 made of cardboard or the like for an object or a group of objects PH, PB, of the type comprising a first zone 110 joined by a free end edge 111 to a second zone 130a, 150 by means mechanical locking 200. According to the invention, these comprise at least one tab 220 comprising a first part 220aarticulated to said free end edge 111 by a first fold line 221 and a second part 220b articulated to the first part by a second fold line 222, as well as at least one associated slot 210 formed in said second zone and located opposite a space of limited width defined by the packaging and the packaged object (s), the two parts of each tab and each associated slot being dimensioned such that, when the two parts of each tab are folded against each other, said tab can be introduced into the associated slot, and such that the second part of the paw introduced into the slot can, by elastic return, move away from the first part to a degree limited by the width of the space and thus anchor said tab behind the slot by pressing an anchoring edge of said second part against a surface delimiting said space.

Description

The present invention relates generally to packaging in

  cardboard or the like for objects or groups of objects, and more particularly relates to a packaging, for example of the sheath type, intended to closely surround the object or objects. A package of this type is conventionally produced from a blank of cardboard or other similar material, for example of generally rectangular outline, which is folded back on itself around several lines of

  folding and whose two free ends are joined.

  Conventionally, either a bonding or a mechanical locking means conventionally made up of tabs or tabs inserted in openings with a relationship is used for this meeting.

appropriate anchor.

  In most known packages, the locking devices generally have, in the locked state, an appearance which is not satisfactory from an aesthetic point of view. More precisely, such devices reveal, after their implementation, either holes, or superimpositions of several layers of the material constituting the blank, or even parts of non-decorated cardboard, corresponding to the conventional appearance of the interior. a blank for packaging. In practice, this leads to placing the locking means in the region of the bottom of the packaging. This turns out to be inconvenient in so far as the implementation of these means is then carried out below the packaged objects, and it is therefore necessary to provide a form of support.

  for these objects during this implementation.

  The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and to propose a packaging of the type indicated in the introduction, which comprises mechanical locking means which can be implemented easily, which are at the same time of high reliability and which are practically invisible in the locked state, and which can consequently be placed on the side or on the top of the packaging without any aesthetic disadvantage. To this end, the present invention relates to a cardboard or similar packaging for an object or a group of objects, of the type comprising a first zone joined by a free end edge to a second zone by mechanical locking means, characterized in that the locking means comprise at least one tab comprising a first part articulated to said free end edge by a first fold line and a second part articulated to the first part by a second fold line, as well as at least an associated slit formed in said second zone and situated opposite a space of limited width defined by the packaging and the object or objects packaged, the two parts of each tab and each associated slit being dimensioned so that when the two parts of each tab are folded against each other, said tab can be introduced into the associated slot, and so that the second part d e the tab introduced into the slot can, by elastic return, deviate from the first part to a degree limited by the width of the space and thus anchor said tab behind the slot by pressing an anchoring edge of said second part against a surface

delimiting said space.

  Preferred aspects of the packaging according to the invention are as follows: 25. the second fold line is substantially parallel to the first fold line, itself located in alignment with said free end edge of the first zone, and said anchoring edge is a free end edge of said second part of the tab, substantially parallel

  to said first and second fold lines.

  * each leg has a width which, in the first part as in the second part, decreases in

  direction of the second fold line.

  * in the case of the packaging of a group of pots or the like comprising in their upper part a flange, the first zone of the packaging is an upper face zone, the second zone is a transition zone between a zone of lateral face and a return zone covered by a marginal region of said upper face zone, each space is delimited by said lateral face zone, said flange and a body part of one of the pots, and the anchoring edge of said second part of the tab is engaged below said flange. * the second part of each tab comprises, in a lateral region of said anchoring edge, a lug which comes to bear laterally against the flange, said second part thus having an inclined orientation such that, on the side of the lug, its edge lateral remains adjacent to the corresponding lateral edge of the first part and that, on the side opposite to said lug, its anchoring edge is engaged below

of the collar.

  * the length of the first part of each tab is greater than that of its second part and in that the difference between these two lengths is substantially equal to the sum of the thickness of the flange and the thickness of the

  cardboard or the like constituting the packaging.

  * the length of the lug is equal to or less than

the thickness of the collar.

  * in the case of the packaging of a group of pots or the like comprising at least one row of a plurality of pots, a plurality of devices is provided

  lock, located respectively to the right of each pot.

  * the first zone of the packaging is an upper face zone, the second zone is a transition zone between a lateral face zone and a return zone covered by a marginal region of said upper face zone, each space is delimited by said lateral face zone, said return zone and a body part of one of the pots, and said second leg is supported by its anchoring edge

  below said return area.

  * in this case, the length of the first part of each leg is greater than that of its second part and the difference between these two lengths is substantially equal

  the thickness of the cardboard or the like constituting the packaging.

  the second fold line is essentially perpendicular to the first fold line, itself located in alignment with said free end edge of the first zone, the second part of each tab being located laterally with respect to the first part and its anchoring edge being situated essentially in the extension of the first fold line. * each leg has, when its two parts are folded against each other, a width which decreases to

  from the first fold line.

  * when the packaging is of the sheath type and produced from a blank, the locking means are provided

  in the region of the two free ends of the blank.

  Other aspects, purposes and advantages of this

  invention will appear better on reading the description

  following detailed view of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank intended to form a packaging conforming to the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the blank of Figure 1 during its shaping around a group of objects, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the representation of Figure 2 , Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the package in its final position around a group of objects, Figure 5 is a top view of part of the package in its final position, FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 of a first alternative embodiment of the invention, FIG. 7 is a view analogous to FIG. 4 of a second alternative embodiment of the invention, Figure 8 is a plan view of part of a blank according to a third variant e embodiment of the invention, and Figure 9 is a partial horizontal sectional view of the blank locking means of Figure 8, in their

final position.

  Referring to the drawings, and first of all in FIG. 1, a package in accordance with the present invention, here of sheath type, is constituted by a blank 100 which comprises, from top to bottom in the figure, an upper face zone 110, a first side face area 120 separated from the top face area 110 by a fold line 112, a bottom area separated from the first side face area 120 by a fold line 124, a second side face area 130 separated from the bottom area 140 by a fold line 134, as well as a return area 150 separated from the second side face area 130 by a fold line 135. This last area is intended, when the blank is folded on itself to form a sheath, to be covered by the free marginal part of the upper face area 110, as

will see it later.

  The lateral zones 120, 130 each consist of two sub-zones, respectively 120a, 120b and 130a, 130b separated by fold lines, respectively 122, - 133, and the bottom zone 140 consists of three sub-zones 140a , 140b and 140c separated by fold lines 144 and 145. The blank is generally rectangular in shape and the various fold lines mentioned are all, in the present embodiment, parallel to the small edges

of the rectangle.

  It can be observed that in the marginal sub-areas b, 140c of the bottom area 140 are formed openings 146 in the general shape of crescents. These openings, conventionally, are intended to receive, for wedging purposes, the lower lateral regions of a set of pots of generally cylindrical shape, as will be seen in

detail later.

  Furthermore, the blank as illustrated is provided with mechanical locking means intended to join firmly and practically inviolable the two ends of the blank, namely in FIG. 1 the upper edge 111 which constitutes the free end edge of the upper face zone 111 and the transition region (line 135) between

  the second lateral zone 130a and the return zone 150.

  According to this first example of the present invention, three identical locking devices are provided equally spaced across the width of the blank. Each device, generally designated by the reference 200, comprises a slot 210 of predetermined length formed in the fold line 135 and a tab 220 projecting towards

  the exterior from the free end edge 111 of the blank.

  Each slot 210 is preferably, but optionally, very slightly offset towards the zone 150 from the alignment of the fold line 135, with at its

  ends of the small parts back towards the latter.

  Each tab 220 is subdivided into two parts 220a, 220b separated by a fold line 222 essentially parallel to the edge 111. More specifically, the part 220a extends between a fold line 221 situated in the extension of the edge 111 and said line of intermediate folding, while the part 220b is situated between the latter and an end edge 223 of the tab, as a whole parallel to the lines 221 and 222. The lengths La and Lb of the parts 220a, 220b, measured in the axis of the leg, that is to say transversely to the line

  111, are well determined, as will be seen below.

  Furthermore, each tab has, in the region of one of the ends of its free edge, a small protruding lug essentially square or rectangular, denoted 220c, produced here in one piece, that is to say without separation by line folding, with part 220b. Similarly, the length Lc of the part 220c, measured in the same direction as La and Lb, is well determined, while its width is chosen to be substantially less than the width of the tab at

this place.

  Finally, it can be noted that, in the present example, the tab 220 has a variable width, that is to say that it has a maximum width at the level of lines 221 and 223 and a minimum width at the level of line 222 , the parts 220a and 220b having the shape of two head-to-tail trapezoids. The aforementioned maximum width is preferably equal

  or slightly less than the length of the slots 210.

  Finally, the blank as illustrated in FIG. 1 is equipped with means for longitudinal wedging of a group of objects not wedged by the openings 146 described above, these means consisting for example of legs 300 which will not be described. not in detail. For more details concerning such wedging means, reference is made to the patent application.

  German No. 37 41 687.1 filed December 9, 1987.

  We will describe below the production of a sheath type packaging with a blank as described. It can be noted here that the blank of Figure 1 has three identical locking devices, while the blank of

Figure 2 has only two.

  With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be observed that the blank 100 is folded around a set of objects which is constituted by two superposed groups of four jars, for example for dairy products, the jars of the upper group being designated by Pa and those of the lower group by Po. The pots of the same group are arranged in a square and joined together, conventionally, at their upper flanges, respectively Ca and CD. To do this, the various fold lines are folded so that the blank takes the form illustrated in FIG. 2, in which the sub-areas 120a, 130a are essentially vertical and parallel, the sub-areas 120b, 130b are slightly converging downwards, the sub-areas 140b, 140c are inclined at about 45 with respect to the horizontal and the sub-area 140a, constituting the bottom proper of

the packaging is horizontal.

  The upper face area 110 is being folded horizontally around the fold line 112 so that its free marginal region covers the area 150, also folded horizontally

around line 135.

  In addition, each leg 220 has been folded so that its part 220a makes an angle of about 90 downward from the top 110 and that its part 220b, accompanied by the lug 220c, is located inside. of said part 220a, making an acute angle with it. The top face 110 being progressively brought to the horizontal, the tabs 220 are at the same time introduced into their respective slots 210. This introduction is facilitated by the slight convergence of the lateral edges of each tab thus folded back, as described above. During this phase, not illustrated, the parts 220a, 220b tighten intimately one against the other to pass into

the narrow slit 210.

  Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the final position of the blank 100. The tabs having been completely introduced into the respective slots, which corresponds to the application of the top face 110 against the zone 150, the part 220b of each tab s' is found to be able to disengage slightly from part 220a, inwards (to the left in FIG. 4). During this movement, caused by the relative elasticity of the material, inducing an appropriate restoring force at the level of the fold line 222, the lug 220c, located at the height of the flange CH of the pot PH considered, comes apply against the free end edge of this flange, while the part 220b, the upper limit of which formed by the line 223 is situated substantially in the plane of the underside of said flange CH, is partially anchored below of the latter. More precisely, as FIG. 5 clearly shows, the part 220b of each tab 220 takes an inclined position, being held outside the flange at its region adjacent to the lug 220c, and gradually penetrating the below the collar as it moves away from said lug 220c. It can be noted here that the body of the pot defines with the lateral zone 130a and the return zone 150 a space of determined narrow width which limits the maximum spacing of the second part 220b of the

  leg relative to its first part 220a.

  This double role conferred on the part 220b of the tab 220 has the following advantage: by being maintained, on the side of the lug essentially pressed against the part 220a, the part 220b prevents any yawning of the sheath-like packaging a once closed, because no folding or buckling of parts 220a or 220b of the tab is possible in this region. In addition, by being anchored by its anchoring edge 223 below the collar, the part 220b effectively prevents the tab 200 from being withdrawn from its locking position, which makes it very difficult to to do

  without the intervention of an appropriate utensil.

  In this regard, these qualities of each of the packaging locking devices are obtained by choosing the various dimensions mentioned above as a function of the thickness e of the carton or the like from which the packaging is made and the thickness Ld of the collar CH, preferably such that: (1) La - Lb = Ld + e

and (2) Lc <Ld.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, the group of upper pots PH is wedged in translation by the devices 300 as mentioned above, in a manner not illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5, while the pots PB of the lower group can be wedged in translation by the crescent-shaped openings 246 as mentioned above, as shown in Figure 2, or by any other suitable means. This prevents the pots from coming out of the sheath-like packaging by sliding towards

  one of the open ends of it.

  Although the invention is satisfactory in the configuration described above, it is understood that

variants are possible.

  We will describe below with reference to Figures 6 to

  9 a number of them. It should be noted that, on these-

  various figures, elements or parts identical or similar to those of Figures 1 to 5 are designated by the same reference numbers, and will not be described again. For example, there is shown in Figure 6 of the drawings a variant in which the flange CE of each pot to be packaged is only slightly projecting laterally from the body of the pot. Thus, the lug 220c has here been deleted, so that the part 220b of the tab is able to fully engage at its anchoring edge 223 below the flange, as illustrated. But given this particular geometry of the pots, the parts 220a and 220b are kept close enough to each other to give them the required stiffness, the locking being here again assured with reliability and without

  play or yawn between the parts of the blank joined together.

  Furthermore, the invention also applies to

  the packaging of articles without collars or the like.

  Thus, FIG. 7 illustrates the case where the tab 220 is devoid of lugs as in the configuration of FIG. 6, the free end edge 223 of the part 220b coming to engage essentially against the lower surface of the zone 150 of the blank. In this case, care must be taken to ensure that there is a sufficient distance, denoted d in FIG. 7, between the edge of the object Pa to be packaged and the lateral face a of the package, to avoid that the part 220b cannot unexpectedly revert to the law of the slot 210 and authorize the

  release of the locking means.

  In this alternative embodiment, the relation (1) mentioned above is replaced by: (1 ′) La - Lb = e. FIGS. 8 and 9 show another alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this example, each tab 220 has a first part 220a articulated to the top region 110 by a first fold line 221 and a second part 220b articulated to the first part 220a by a second fold line 222 which starts from the region d 'one end of the line 221 at an angle with it, noted a in Figure 8, which is preferably close to 90 but less than this value. In the unfolded state of the blank, the part 220b is therefore arranged laterally with respect to the first part; this second part includes

2639918-

  there a straight edge 223 located approximately in the extension of the fold line 221, making with the edge 111 an angle 1 substantially equal to twice the

difference 90 -a.

  The tab 220 is introduced into its associated slot 210 by folding the part 220b inwards against the part 220a. The fold line 221 and the edge 223 are then essentially superimposed. Once the tab has completely passed through the slot, the part 220b is able, under the effect of the elastic return created by the material, to pivot around the line 222, so to deviate slightly from the part 220a, which leads to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 9. Thus, along the fold line 222, the two parts of the tab are held integral with one another, so that yawning of the sheath is avoided or analogous in the region of the locking means; but in its part remote from the second fold line 222, the second part 220b is essentially separated from the first part 220a, and is anchored in the present

  example below zone 150 of the packaging.

  This variant of the present invention can of course be used in a packaging for a group of objects of the jar type with flanges. In this case, a slight offset will be provided towards the outside (upwards in FIG. 8), substantially equal to the thickness of the flange, between the fold line 221 and the edge 223, which performs

  the anchor below the collar.

  Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above and

shown in the drawings.

  In particular, the configuration of the locking devices according to the invention will be easily adapted by those skilled in the art to objects or groups of objects having one or more arrangements equivalent to the flanges as described above, and more generally any recess, protrusion or, on the contrary, obviously formed in the

  region of one or more of its lateral edges.

  Furthermore, the invention applies not only to packaging of the sheath type as described above, but more generally to any type of packaging or box whose lid or the like must be locked in position in an essentially tamper-resistant manner or at least not easily released. In this regard, the invention makes it possible to package pots, for example for food products,

  in any number and arrangement.

  A package incorporating the locking means according to the invention can be made of cardboard, and more generally of any material having the minimum elasticity required to safely bring the part 220b

  of each tab in its locked position.

  Finally, although we have described in the above locking devices in a number equal to the number of pots in the longitudinal direction of the sheath, and located respectively in line with the pots, it is understood that provision may be made such devices in any number and in any arrangement, and this at the transition between any two sides of the package, inclined

mutually or not.

Claims (13)

  i. Cardboard or similar packaging (100) for an object or a group of objects (PH, PB), of the type comprising a first zone (110) joined by a free end edge (111) to a second zone (130a, 150) by mechanical locking means (200), characterized in that the locking means comprise at least one tab (220) having a first part (220a) articulated to said free end edge (111) by a first line of folding (221) and a second part (220b) articulated to the first part by a second folding line (222), as well as at least one associated slot (210) formed in said second zone and located opposite a space of limited width defined by the packaging and the packaged object or articles, the two parts of each tab and each associated slot being dimensioned so that, when the two parts of each tab are folded one against the other 'other, .this tab can be inserted into the associated slot, and so that the second part of the tab introduced into the slot can, by elastic return, deviate from the first part to a degree limited by the width of the space and thus anchor said tab behind the slot by pressing d 'an anchoring edge (223) of said second part against a surface delimiting said space.   2. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the second fold line (222) is substantially parallel to the first fold line (221), itself located in alignment with said free end edge (111) of the first zone (110), and in that said anchoring edge (223) is a free end edge of said second part (220b) of the tab (220), substantially parallel to said   first and second fold lines.   3. Packaging according to claim 2, characterized in that each tab (220) has a width which, in the first part as in the second part, decreases in   direction of the second fold line (222).   4. Packaging according to one of claims 2 and 3,   for a group of pots (PH) or the like comprising in their upper part a flange (CE), characterized in that the first zone of the packaging is a zone of upper face (110), in that the second zone is a transition zone between a lateral face zone (130a) and a return zone (150) covered by a marginal region of said upper face zone, in that each space is delimited by said lateral face zone, said flange and a body part of one of the pots, and in that the anchoring edge (223) of said second part of the leg is   engaged below said collar.   5. Packaging according to claim 4, characterized in that the second part (220b) of each tab (220) comprises, in a lateral region of said anchoring edge (223), a lug (220c) which bears laterally against the flange (CH), said second part thus having an inclined orientation such that, on the side of the lug, its lateral edge remains adjacent to the corresponding lateral edge of the first part and that, on the side opposite to said lug, its   anchor edge is engaged below the flange.   6. Packaging according to claim 5, characterized in that the length (La) of the first part (220a) of each tab (220) is greater than that (Lb) of its second part (220b) and in that the difference between these two lengths is substantially equal to the sum of the thickness (Ld) of the flange and the thickness (e) of the carton or analog constituting the packaging.   7. Packaging according to claim 6, characterized in that the length (Lc) of the lug (220c) is equal or   less than the thickness (Ld) of the collar.   8. Packaging according to one of claims 4 to 7, the   group of pots or the like comprising at least one row of a plurality of pots, characterized in that a plurality of locking devices (200) are provided, located   respectively to the right of each pot.   9. Packaging according to one of claims 2 and   3, characterized in that the first zone of the packaging is an upper face zone (110), in that the second zone is a transition zone between a lateral face zone (130a) and a return zone (150 ) covered by a marginal region of said upper face zone, in that each space is delimited by said lateral face zone, said return zone and a body part of one of the pots, and in that said second tab (220b) is supported by its edge   anchor (223) below said return zone (150).   10. Packaging according to claim 9, characterized in that the length (La) of the first part (220a) of each tab is greater than that (Lb) of its second part (220b) and in that the difference between these two lengths is substantially equal to the thickness (e) of the carton or analog constituting the packaging.   11. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the second fold line (222) is essentially perpendicular to the first fold line (221), itself located in alignment with said free end edge of the first zone , the second part (220b) of each tab being located laterally with respect to the first part (220a) and its anchoring edge (223) being situated essentially in the extension of the first line of folding (221).   12..Packaging according to claim 11, characterized in that each tab (220) has, when its two parts (220a, 220b) are folded against each other, a width which decreases from the first line of folding (221).   13. Packaging according to one of claims   previous, sheath type made from a blank, characterized in that the locking means (200) are   provided in the region of the two free ends of the blank.