FR2751939A1 - Method of forming handle on container - Google Patents

Abstract

The container has sidewalls (1,2) and a cross wall having a flap (3) connected by a fold line. There is an adhesive strip (5,15) which is preglued on the exterior face(3,13) of the cross wall, with its ends adhered against the two opposed sidewalls. A cut line is formed in the cross wall, laterally with respect to the adhesive strip or across it, to separate the rest of the cross wall from the portion of it against which is glued the adhesive strip so that the portion and the part of the strip with which it adheres forms the handle.

Description

Method for producing a grip handle on a packaging made of a semi-rigid material and packaging intended for the implementation of this process.

 The present invention relates to a method of producing a grip handle on a package made of a closed semi-rigid material filled with conditioned articles.

The invention also relates to packaging made of a semi-rigid material which can be used for implementing this method.

 Many types of portable packaging have already been proposed in the art in a semi-rigid material such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard. They have, in fact, the great advantage, at the point of sale, of allowing buyers to easily transport the conditioned articles, in particular bottles.

These packages generally include a handle for cutting the material of the package (see GB-A-2 206 564 or FR-A-2 483 885) or attached to it, on which it is generally glued (see
FR-A-1 512 737 or WO-A-81/00090).

 WO-A-95/11165 also describes a box or a box cover made of a sheet material comprising an upper face and two opposite side walls, on which an attached handle is fixed. According to this international application, frangible or hollowed out zones are provided astride the junction lines between the side walls and the upper face, and the ends of the handle are fixed to the side walls below these zones, so that , when the handle is pulled in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper face, the handle fits into said areas.

 Such a box is expensive, because of the frangible or hollowed out areas to be produced. It is also impractical to use, since the handle may present difficulties in fitting into these areas.

 The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a packaging with a grip handle of the same general type, but devoid of frangible or recessed areas in which the handle is fitted.

 The invention aims more particularly to propose a method for producing a grip handle on such a packaging, which can be implemented on the closed packaging and previously filled with the packaged articles.

 To this end, the subject of the invention is a method of producing a grip handle on a package made of a semi-rigid material such as corrugated cardboard, while this package is closed and has been filled with conditioned articles, this packaging being of the type comprising adjoining side walls between them and a transverse wall constituted either by at least one flap adjoining by a fold line to one of the side walls and folded transversely thereto, or by a flat part d '' an independent cover arranged transversely to the side walls, this packaging having to be equipped with a grip handle comprising a strip disposed above the transverse wall and integral with two opposite side walls, this process being characterized in that, a ribbon adhesive previously glued against the external face of the transverse wall, with its ends glued against two p opposite side walls, at least one cutting line is made in this transverse wall, laterally with respect to the adhesive tape or through the latter, with a view to separating the portion of the latter against which is glued the adhesive tape, so that this portion and the part of the tape that adheres to it form the handle for gripping the packaging.

 It will be noted that this process differs from the processes of the prior art in that the handle is produced from a pre-filled packaging of the conditioned and closed articles, and not on a blank of cardboard or corrugated cardboard intended to be shaped. and assembled, then to be filled with articles to be packaged.

 As will be seen in more detail below, the cutting line can be made in the transverse wall either using cutting tools, for example using a rotating cutting disc, or manually, by tearing at least one line of failure initiators provided for this purpose in the transverse wall.

 The packaging fitted with at least one such line of starting primers constitutes another object of the invention.

 The invention therefore has as a second object a packaging made of a semi-rigid material such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, closed and filled with conditioned articles, of the type comprising side walls adjoining each other and a transverse wall formed either by at least one flap attached by a fold line to one of the side walls and folded transversely thereto, or by a flat part of an independent cover arranged transversely to the side walls, this packaging being able to be equipped with a gripping handle comprising a strip disposed above the transverse wall and integral with two opposite lateral walls, this packaging being characterized in that it comprises an adhesive tape glued against the external face of the transverse wall and the ends of which are glued against two opposite side walls and in that, in the transverse wall is provided, laterally by comparison rt to the adhesive tape, at least one line of fracture initiators making it possible to separate from the rest of the said transverse wall the portion of the latter against which the adhesive tape is stuck, so that this portion and the part of the tape which adheres thereto form the handle for gripping the packaging.

 As indicated above, in a first family of packaging which can be used in the context of the invention, the transverse wall comprises at least one flap attached by a fold line to one of the side walls and folded down transversely to these walls.

 In a first embodiment belonging to this family, the transverse wall comprises two adjoining flaps with two opposite walls, these two flaps in the folded position being arranged edge to edge in the same plane or one covering the other. In either case, the adhesive tape can be arranged parallel or transverse to the walls to which the two flaps are attached.

 When the adhesive tape is parallel to these walls, it can be glued against only one of the adjoining flaps (the one that is outside the packaging, if there is overlap), along the free edge of this flap, and the cutting line can be made in this same shutter, along the edge of the adhesive tape not contiguous to the free edge of the shutter. A line of breakthrough primers may be provided for this purpose in the shutter along the edge of the adhesive tape. In the absence of such a line of break initiators, the cutting line can also be produced using a cutting tool.

 Alternatively, when the adhesive tape is parallel to the walls adjoining the shutters and these are arranged edge to edge, the adhesive tape can be stuck astride the two shutters and a cutting line can be made in each of them. along the edge of the tape. In this eventuality, a line of break points may be formed in each flap along the corresponding edge of the adhesive tape, in order to allow manual separation in the handle part. However, a cutting tool could also be used for this purpose.

 If the adhesive tape stuck astride the two flaps is sufficiently wide and serves, for example, to close the packaging, the cutting lines may be made in these flaps through the ribbon itself.

 Similarly, if the adhesive tape is arranged transversely to the walls adjoining the shutters and if these are arranged edge to edge, two cutting lines may be provided in each of the shutters, along the two edges of the adhesive tape, in the extension of the lines of initiation of rupture of the other component, either using a cutting tool, or by tearing of lines of initiation of rupture judiciously arranged.

 Also in this embodiment, if the adhesive tape is sufficiently wide, the cutting lines can be made using cutting tools through the adhesive tape.

 To this first family of packages which can be used in the context of the invention also belong the packages comprising a transverse wall constituted by a single flap, adjoining by a fold line to one of the side walls and disposed transversely to these walls, this flap which can itself be attached by a fold line to a strip intended to be glued against the external face of the side wall opposite to that to which it is attached.

 In such packaging, the adhesive tape can advantageously be glued at its ends against the side wall to which the flap is attached and against the opposite wall, two cutting lines can be made in the flap along the adhesive tape, on each side. of it, or through it. A line of breaking leads can also be provided in the shutter on each side of the adhesive tape, in order to be able to manually practice the cutting lines.

 In a second family of packages which can be used in the context of the invention, the transverse wall belongs to an independent cover attached to the body of the package, a flat part of this cover being arranged transversely to the side walls of the package.

 The cover may be of any type, for example with two or four flaps articulated by fold lines on the part intended to form the transverse wall of the packaging, these flaps being intended to be folded down and possibly fixed respectively against two opposite side walls of the packaging or against four opposite side walls of the packaging two by two. The adhesive tape is glued against the external face of the part of the lid forming the transverse wall of the packaging, with its ends preferably glued against the two opposite lateral walls against which the flaps of the lid are folded down, and a cutting line can be made. in the part intended to form the transverse wall of the packaging, along the adhesive tape, on each side of the latter, manually, by tearing of breaking lines provided for this purpose, or using cutting tools.

 In all of these embodiments, one or more cutting lines or incipient fractures may advantageously be made in the transverse wall, on at least one side of the adhesive tape, so as to define in this wall a retractable or removable part. , allowing the user to easily engage his hand below the part intended to form the grip handle.

 This can be easily lifted by the user, the flexibility of the side walls on which the ends of the adhesive tape are glued allowing them to curve in the direction of one another, in particular when the packaging contains bottles. , as will be seen below. It is therefore not necessary to provide a frangible, separable or hollowed-out zone at the upper part of these walls, as recommended in the prior art, and this represents a very appreciable advantage of the invention, both in terms of manufacturing. and the cost of packaging than that of its use.

 A very important advantage of the process and of the packaging in accordance with the invention is that the transverse wall in which the grip is made has no additional thickness other than that, usual and without incidence, of the adhesive tape. It is therefore possible to stack and palletize the full and closed packaging without any problem, while the packaging with grip handle of the prior art, in particular with added handle, having serious drawbacks from this point of view.

 The invention applies more particularly to packaging in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, of cardboard or corrugated cardboard, several embodiments of which will be described below in detail, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art that it also applies to more complex packaging.

 Another object of this invention is the packaging fitted with a handle produced by the process according to the invention.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings. On these drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first package usable for manual implementation of the method of the invention
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the blank of corrugated cardboard which has been pre-cut and pushed back (pre-folded), from which the packaging of FIG. 1 is derived.
Figure 3 is a section along line III-III of Figure 1 of the packaging filled with bottles
Figure 4 is a section similar to Figure 3, with the handle raised, illustrating the possibility of deformation of the side walls on which the ends of the adhesive tape are glued;
FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are perspective views of other packaging which can be used for manual implementation of the invention
Figures 10, 11 and 12 illustrate various forms of mechanical implementation, using a cutting tool, of the method according to the invention.

 In all of these embodiments, the transverse wall of the packaging constitutes the upper part of the latter, while the lower part or bottom can be of any type whatsoever and will therefore not be described in detail.

 We will begin by describing, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, various forms of manual implementation of the method according to the invention, from packages comprising lines of incipient fractures, which, by manual tearing, make it possible to define a grip handle. These packages are themselves an object of the invention.

 The packaging shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a packaging of the usual type, of parallelepiped shape, comprising four adjoining walls by fold lines parallel to one another, for example vertical, namely two first walls 1 and two second walls 2 , perpendicular to the previous ones. At the upper part of the walls 1 are contiguous by horizontal fold lines two first flaps 3, while at the upper part of the walls 2 are articulated by fold lines perpendicular to the previous two second flaps 4.

 The flaps 3 and 4 can be folded perpendicular to the adjoining walls and assembled, for example by gluing, to close the packaging at its upper part. In this case, the flaps 3 are arranged edge to edge in the same plane and form a transverse wall, while the flaps 4, also arranged edge to edge in the same plane, are located below the previous ones.

 According to the invention, an adhesive tape 5 is stuck astride the contiguous parts of the flaps 3, parallel to the walls 1, with its ends glued to the walls 2, and two lines 6 of incipient fractures are made respectively in the flaps 3, along the edges of the ribbon 5. It is thus possible for the user, by tearing these lines 6 of incipient fractures, to separate from the rest of the flaps 3 the ribbon 5 and the parts of the flaps 3 against which it is glued, so that the tape 6 and the parts of which it is integral form a handle for gripping the packaging.

 In order to facilitate the gripping of this handle, two cutting lines such as 7 are made in at least one of the flaps 3, preferably obliquely, starting from the lines 6 of incipient fractures, in order to define a zone 8 which can be retracted under the pressure of the user's hand when the latter wishes to engage his hand under the handle.

 As shown in FIG. 2, the part of the line 6 of incipient fractures situated opposite the retractable zone 8 may be a straight cut 9, so as to facilitate the passage of the hand of the user engaged by the zone 8 below the adhesive tape 5.

 As can be seen in the sectional views of FIGS. 3 and 4, when the user thus separates from the rest of the flaps 3 the handle formed by the ribbon 5 and the parts of these flaps 3 glued against this ribbon, then grasps this handle to lift the packaging, the side walls 2 on which the ends of the tape 2 are glued curve slightly towards one another, to allow the handle to move away from the flaps 4. This deformation of the walls 2 is facilitated in the case where the packaged articles are for example bottles 10, the necks of which are not in contact with the walls 2.

 FIG. 5, in which the members already described in relation to FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numbers, represents an alternative embodiment of the packaging of this FIG. 1. In this alternative, the ribbon 5 is glued against one only flaps 3, along the free edge of this flap, which is the only one to include a line of breaking leads 6 along the other edge of the ribbon 5. The other flap 3, whose free edge is adjoining the ribbon 5, is simply glued against the flaps 4, and the user can thus easily introduce by hand between this flap 3 and that to which the ribbon adheres, to thus separate the handle from the rest of the flap. In this embodiment, the handle is not located at the same distance from the two walls 1, but this offset towards one of the walls is not sensitive to use. One can also, of course, provide flaps 3 of different width to overcome this drawback and center the handle.

 FIG. 6, in which the members described in relation to FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numbers, represents another variant of the packaging shown in this FIG. 1. In this variant, the adhesive tape 5 is arranged transversely to the flaps 3 and its ends are glued against the walls 1 to which these flaps 3 are attached. Two lines of primers 6 for breaking are provided in each of the flaps 3, on each side of the ribbon 5, in the extension of those of the other flap.

 FIG. 7 represents a package comprising two parallel side walls 11 and two side walls 12, perpendicular to the preceding ones and articulated on these by vertical fold lines. At the upper part of the walls 11 are articulated by horizontal fold lines of the flaps 13 folded perpendicularly to these walls and, at the upper part of the walls 12, are articulated flaps 14, folded perpendicular to these walls, below the flaps 13.

 In this embodiment, the two flaps 13 are not arranged edge to edge but have a width such that one partially covers the other. It is on the flap 13 disposed outside that the adhesive tape 15 is pasted, along the free edge of the flap 13, with its ends glued against the walls 12. On the side of the tape 15 furthest from the free edge of the flap 13, a line of breaking initiators 16 is provided in this flap, along the ribbon, and a cutting line 17 allows the user to easily engage his hand, to separate the handle formed by the ribbon 15 and the part of the flap 13 which is integral with the rest of the flap.

 FIG. 8 shows another package according to the invention comprising two parallel walls 21 and two walls 22 perpendicular to the previous ones, on which they are articulated by fold lines. At the upper part of one of the walls 21 is articulated by a fold line a flap 23, capable of being folded perpendicular to this wall, a strip 24 articulated on the flap 23 by a fold line which can be applied against the external or internal face of the opposite wall 21 to be glued to it.

 An adhesive tape 25 is glued against the external face of the flap 23 and of the strip 24 and its ends are glued against the two opposite walls 21. A line of breaking leads 26 is provided in the flap 23 on each side of the ribbon 25, and cutting lines 27 allow the user to engage his hand under the ribbon 25 and the part of the flap 23 to which he adheres, to separate them from the rest of the flap 23, forming a grip handle.

 FIG. 9 shows another type of packaging comprising a parallelepipedic body 30, comprising two parallel walls 31 and two walls 32 perpendicular to the preceding ones, the body 30 being capped by a cover 33, comprising a panel 34 of section similar to that of the body 30 , on which it rests, and four flaps 35 and 36, adjoining the panel 34 by fold lines perpendicular to each other and intended to be folded laterally against the external faces, respectively, of the walls 31 and 32, on which they can be glued .

 An adhesive tape 37 is glued against the panel 34 and its ends are glued against the walls 31. Along the tape 37, on each side of the latter, lines of incipient fractures 38 are provided in the panel 34 and cutting lines 39 or breaking points allow the user to engage his hand below the ribbon 37 and the part of the panel 34 which is integral therewith, to separate them from this panel and form a grip handle .

Naturally, the cover could comprise only two opposite flaps 35 and then have a U-shaped cross section in a plane perpendicular to the flaps.

 FIG. 10, in which the members already described with reference to FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numbers, represent a packaging similar to that of FIG. 1, but the flaps 3 of which are devoid of lines of incipient fractures along the edges of the adhesive tape 5, stuck astride the flaps 3.

 In this case, in order to be able to practice in each of the flaps 3 a cutting line 40 along the edges of the ribbon 5, in order to define a part forming a grip handle, two cutting discs 41 are used, separated by an appropriate distance and mounted on the same motor axis 42. One could naturally use any other type of cutting tool.

 FIG. 11, for its part, is to be compared to FIG. 5 and represents a packaging of the same type as in this figure, but devoid of line of incipient fractures along one edge of the ribbon 5, the other edge of which is adjoining the free edge of the shutter 3. The members already described are designated by the same reference numbers as above.

 In this embodiment of the method according to the invention, a cutting disc 41, driven in rotation by a motor axis cuts a cutting line 41 in the shutter 3 along the edge of the adhesive tape 5 not contiguous with the free edge of this component.

 FIG. 12, in which the members already described in relation to FIG. 10 are designated by the same reference numbers, illustrates another form of implementation of the method according to the invention.

 In this embodiment, the ribbon 5, straddling the flaps 3, is a very wide ribbon, which is used to close the packaging by firmly joining the contiguous edges of the flaps 3, which it is therefore no longer necessary to stick against the flaps adjoining the walls 2 and arranged below (not shown in the drawing). In this case, two cutting lines 43 are made using rotary cutting discs 41, driven by a motor axis 42, not only in the two flaps 3, but also in the ribbon 5, which the discs 48 pass through to cut out. the semi-rigid material.

 Many other embodiments can be designed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

 1. Method for producing a grip on a package made of a semi-rigid material such as corrugated cardboard, while this package is closed and has been filled with conditioned articles, this package being of the type comprising side walls (1, 2; 11, 12; 21, 22) adjoining each other and a transverse wall consisting either of at least one flap (3, 13, 23) adjoining by a fold line to one of the side walls and folded down transversely to these, either by a flat part (34) of an independent cover (33) arranged transversely to the side walls (31, 32), this packaging having to be equipped with a grip handle comprising a strip arranged above of the transverse wall and integral with two opposite side walls, this method being characterized in that, an adhesive tape (5, 15, 25, 37) having previously been glued against the external face (3, 13, 23, 34) of the wall transver dirty, with its ends glued against two opposite side walls (2, 12, 22, 31), at least one cutting line is visible in this transverse wall, laterally with respect to the adhesive tape or through it to separate from the rest of said transverse wall the portion of the latter against which the adhesive tape is glued, so that this portion and the portion of the tape which adheres to it form the handle for gripping the packaging.  2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutting line (40, 43) is made mechanically in the transverse wall, using at least one cutting tool, in particular a cutting disc (41) driven in rotation.  3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the cutting tool simultaneously cuts the adhesive tape (5) by making the cutting line (43) in the transverse wall.  4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cutting line is made manually in the transverse wall, by tearing at least one line of initiations of ruptures (6, 16, 26, 38) formed in this wall in the vicinity of the adhesive tape (5, 15, 25, 37).  5. Packaging in a semi-rigid material such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, closed and filled with conditioned articles, of the type comprising side walls (1, 2; 11, 12; 21, 22) adjoining them and a transverse wall constituted either by at least one flap (3, 13, 23), adjoining by a fold line to one of the side walls and folded transversely to these, or by a flat part (34) of a cover independent (33) arranged transversely to the side walls (31, 32), this packaging being able to be equipped with a grip handle comprising a strip disposed above the transverse wall and integral with two opposite side walls, this packaging being characterized in that it comprises an adhesive tape (5, 15, 25, 37) glued against the external face of the transverse wall (3, 13, 23, 34) and the ends of which are glued against two opposite side walls (2 , 12, 22, 31) and in that, in the transverse wall is provided, laterally with respect to the adhesive tape, at least one line of rupture initiators (6, 16, 26, 38) making it possible to separate from the rest of the said transverse wall the portion of the latter against which is glued the adhesive tape, so that this portion and the part of the tape which adheres to it form the handle for gripping the packaging.  6. Packaging according to claim 5, characterized in that the transverse wall comprises two flaps (3, 13) arranged edge to edge or with overlap, in the folded position, the adhesive tape (5, 15) being arranged parallel or transversely to the walls (1, 11) to which the flaps (3, 13) are attached.  7. Packaging according to claim 6, characterized in that the adhesive tape (5, 15) is glued against only one of the flaps (3, 13), along the free edge of this flap, a line (6, 16) d 'breaking points being provided in this single flap, along the edge of the adhesive tape not contiguous to the free edge of this flap.  8. Packaging according to claim 6, characterized in that the adhesive tape (5, 15) is stuck astride the two flaps (3, 13), a line (6, 16) of break points being formed in each flaps along the edge of the tape.  9. Packaging according to claim 6, comprising two flaps (3) arranged edge to edge in the folded position and in which the adhesive tape (5) is arranged transversely to the walls (1) to which the flaps are attached, characterized in that two lines (6) break points are provided in each of the flaps (3), along the two edges of the adhesive tape, in the extension of the break lines of the other flap.  10. Packaging according to claim 5, wherein the transverse wall comprises a single flap (23) attached by a fold line to one of the side walls (21), characterized in that the adhesive tape (25) is perpendicular to this wall (21) and in that two lines (26) of break points are formed in the flap (23) along each side of the adhesive tape.  11. Packaging according to claim 5, wherein the transverse wall is constituted by a panel (34) of a cover (33), to which are adjoined by two fold lines at least two flaps (35, 36) able to be folded down against the external face of two opposite walls (31) to be optionally made integral therewith, characterized in that the adhesive tape (37) is glued against the external face of the panel (34), its ends preferably being glued against the side walls (31) against which are folded the flaps (35) and two lines (38) of breaking points being formed in the panel (34) along the edges of the adhesive tape (37).  12. Packaging according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that at least one cutting line or breaking points (7, 17, 27, 39) is formed in the transverse wall, on one side at least adhesive tape (5, 15, 25, 37), to delimit in this transverse wall, at least one retractable part (8) or detachable, allowing the user to easily engage his hand below the part on which is stuck on the adhesive tape.  13. Closed packaging filled with packaged articles, characterized in that it comprises a grip handle which has been produced by implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 4.  14. Packaging according to claim 13, characterized in that the grip handle which it comprises was produced by applying a method according to one of claims 1 to 4 to a packaging according to one of claims 5 to 12.