FR3010705A1 - PACKAGING BOX FOR DELIVERY OF CLUTCHES WITH RETENTION OF PARTS BY CLIPSAGE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of conditioning of clutch devices, and more particularly to a conditioning device for a clutch device comprising a main assembly (41) and a secondary assembly (42). The conditioning device (2, 3, 5, 21, 22, 23, 24) for a clutch device comprises a housing (380) arranged to house the secondary assembly (42) separately from the main assembly ( 41) of the clutch device.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of conditioning of clutch devices, and more particularly to a packaging device for a clutch device. The clutch devices comprise different parts such as a flywheel, a friction disc, a clutch mechanism and a stop. The packaging of part or all of these parts, when they are intended in particular for the aftermarket, must be done with care in order to avoid any deterioration during the numerous transport and handling operations. It is already known packaging systems of these clutch devices such as that described in patent FR2959218. This packaging system consists of a cardboard box formed by folding a cardboard blank, and a support plate. All the elements forming the packaging system is configured to hold in place laterally the clutch device. This type of packaging must be perfectly adapted to the size of each clutch device packaged so that the maintenance of parts is perfect and they can not move inside the box. Another type of packaging system consists of using a cardboard box in which the clutch device is held in place in the cardboard box by the application of a heat-shrinkable plastic film. The latter type of packaging has the disadvantage of complicating the process and cost of packaging by the use of heating system, and therefore energy. In addition, the plastic film used to hold parts in place is difficult to recycle. The present invention therefore aims to overcome one or more of the disadvantages of packaging systems of the prior art by providing a packaging box adaptable to all clutch device formats and to maintain in place the clutch device of simple and economical way.

For this, the present invention provides a conditioning device for a clutch device, this clutch device comprising a main assembly and a secondary assembly, the packaging device comprising a housing arranged to house the secondary assembly separately from the main assembly of the clutch device. The invention thus has the advantage of keeping in place the secondary assembly correctly, and to prevent it from moving during, in particular, transport. This conditioning device allows total immobilization of all elements of the clutch device in all directions.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a support, made in one piece, comprising a main region arranged to carry the main assembly and a secondary region arranged to provide said housing. The one-piece support promotes simple and economical packaging. It limits the number of elements of the packaging device, which facilitates handling. According to one embodiment of the invention, the secondary region is made by folding the support. According to one embodiment of the invention, the secondary region comprises at least one folded wing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, secondary region comprises two folded wings forming a corner of the housing. The folding of the two wings makes it possible to obtain a housing for the secondary assembly while limiting the number of handling of the conditioning device. According to one embodiment of the invention, the secondary region has an opening for viewing the secondary assembly. This opening makes it possible in particular to check that the assembly is in place in the housing, and also makes it possible to check the type of secondary assembly disposed in the housing without having to unfold the support. According to one embodiment of the invention, the opening is of triangular shape.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the secondary region comprises a partition separating the main assembly from the secondary assembly. This partition makes it possible to prevent the main assembly and the secondary assembly from touching each other, which limits friction and shocks especially during the end of packaging and transport. According to one embodiment of the invention, the main region comprises a flat central zone. The flat central zone is adapted to the main assemblies of the clutch devices and makes it possible to fix them in a stable manner.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the main region comprises at least one notch for passing a fastener for attaching the main assembly to this main region. According to one embodiment of the invention, the notches are four in number and arranged so that the fasteners form a cross when the main assembly is attached to the main region. The attachment system with notches makes it possible to adapt the attachment to the size of the main assembly of the clutch device. Each notch is long enough to allow a wider or tighter attachment relative to the support. According to one embodiment of the invention, the support is obtained by cutting.

The cut is made to block the support in the box of the packaging device. According to one embodiment of the invention, the support is made of cardboard. This type of material is easily cutable, economical and recyclable. According to one embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a box in which the support is placed. According to one embodiment of the invention, the support is placed at the bottom of the box. According to one embodiment of the invention, the bottom of the housing which receives the secondary assembly is formed by the bottom of the box.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the folded wings of the secondary region rest on the side walls of the box. According to one embodiment of the invention, the corner of the housing is disposed in a corner of the box.

The formed housing is thus effectively held in place, and does not move in any direction. According to one embodiment of the invention, seen along an axis perpendicular to the bottom of the box, the housing occupies an area less than 1/8 of the area of the bottom of the box.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the support comprises at least one retaining lug arranged to engage in a slot of the box. This holding lug thus makes it possible to maintain the support at the bottom of the box, and prevents it from leaving the box during packaging and transport. According to one embodiment of the invention, the support comprises at least one tab on each of its sides. According to one embodiment of the invention, the support comprises at least one reinforcing flap extending perpendicularly to the bottom of the box. The flap makes it possible to block the support against the side walls of the conditioning box, and prevents it from moving in the box.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the box comprises a cover. According to one embodiment of the invention, the clutch device is completely immobilized along the X, Y and Z axes. The invention also relates to a support for a packaging device according to the invention, made in one piece, having a main region arranged to carry a main assembly of a clutch device and a secondary region arranged to provide a housing for a secondary assembly of a clutch device. The support has the advantage of keeping the secondary assembly in place correctly, and of preventing it from moving during transport. The invention also relates to a method of packaging a clutch device using a device packaging device according to the invention, comprising the steps of: fixing the clutch device with fasteners inserted in the notches of the support, folding the support flaps following the fold lines so that the support can be inserted into the box, arranging the secondary assembly in the housing formed by the secondary region of the support, fold the secondary region, as well as the wings of the secondary region, along the fold lines to close the housing. Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be better understood and will appear more clearly on reading the description given hereinafter with reference to the appended figures given by way of example and in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a device according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a top view of an embodiment of a support of a device according to the invention; FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective view of an embodiment of a box of the device according to the invention; FIGS. 4 to 8 are diagrammatic representations of perspective views illustrating the successive steps of a packaging method using the device according to the invention.

The present invention relates to a device 1 for packaging a clutch device. In the context of the invention, the term "clutch device" means a device comprising a main assembly 41 and a secondary assembly 42, illustrated in particular in FIGS. 6 and 8.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the main assembly 41 is formed by a clutch mechanism and / or a friction disk and / or a flywheel, and the secondary assembly 42 is formed by a stop . As illustrated in Figures 1 and 6 to 8, according to one embodiment of the invention, the packaging device comprises a box 2 and a support 3. The support 3, shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3, is intended to be arranged in the box 2. The support 3 is made in one piece. It comprises a first part hereinafter called main region 31 and a second part hereinafter referred to as secondary region 32. As illustrated in FIG. 2, before folding it, support 3 is plane.

The support 3 is made of cardboard and is obtained by cutting. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the support is made of plastic. The main region 31 of the support comprises a flat central zone 311, on which is disposed the secondary assembly 42 of the clutch device, and at least 3 reinforcing flaps 33 attached to the edge of the central zone 311 via lines The central region 311 of the support has a rectangular shape. Two flaps 33 are arranged on the same side and a third flap 33 is disposed on an opposite side facing one of the first two flaps. We thus have two flaps facing each other and one last flap alone.

The folding line 331 at which the flap 33 is attached comprises a central cut-out 332 which, when the flap is folded, makes it possible to form a main holding tab 312, illustrated in FIG. 3, arranged to engage in a slot 23 of the box, illustrated in Figures 6 to 8. According to one embodiment of the invention, the support 3 comprises at least one retaining tab 312 on each of its sides.

The support 3 comprises at least one notch 314 configured to receive a fastener 5, illustrated in Figures 1 and 5 to 8, for attaching and holding in place the main region 31 of the clutch device. According to one embodiment of the invention, the notches 314 are four in number and are arranged on each of the sides of the central zone 311. The notches 314 thus allow the fasteners 5, when the main assembly 41 is attached to the main region 31, to form a cross. The packaging device comprises a housing 380, illustrated in particular in Figure 3, arranged to accommodate the secondary assembly 42 of the clutch device. This housing 380 is formed by the secondary region 32 of the support 3. The housing 380 occupies an area of the box less than that of the area occupied by the main region 31. More precisely, seen along an axis perpendicular to the bottom of the box, the dwelling occupies an area less than 1/8 of the area of the bottom of the box. This secondary region 32 is disposed on one side of the central zone 311 of the main region 31 of the support 3. The secondary region 32 is disposed opposite one of the flaps 33 of the support. It is oriented at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the mediators Ml, M2 on the side of the support 3. The secondary region 32 comprises at least one wing 322 attached by a fold line.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the secondary region 32 comprises at least two wings 322, 323. These wings 322, 323 are configured to form the housing 380 accommodating the secondary assembly 42 of the clutch device, when they are folded. The folded wings thus form a corner of the housing, each of the folded wings of the secondary region resting on one of the side walls 22 of the box 2, visible in Figure 6. This secondary region 32 has an opening 321 which allows to see the secondary assembly 42 when disposed in the housing 380. According to one embodiment of the invention, the opening 321 is triangular in shape.

The support 3 is placed at the bottom of the box 2. The bottom of the housing 380 is thus formed by the bottom of the box 2. The secondary region 32 has a portion forming a secondary partition 324 separating the main assembly 41 of the assembly secondary 42 when the secondary region 32 is folded.

The support 3 is thus arranged for, when the folds are made, to be inserted in the box 2 of the packaging device. According to one embodiment of the invention, in order to be kept perfectly in place, the support 3 comprises additional retaining tabs 313. These additional tabs 313 are arranged on the sides of the main region 311 where there is no main retaining lug 312. These additional retaining lugs 313 take support on the side walls of the box 2, inside the box 2. The box 2 of the packaging device is square. It comprises a receptacle 24, illustrated in FIG. 6, in which the support 3 is disposed. The box 2 comprises a cover 21 attached to the receptacle 24. The box 2 is formed in a conventional manner by folding of three lateral flanges. The box comprises cutouts forming openings 23 in which are inserted the retaining tabs of the support. The size of the device is suitable for any type of clutch device. Indeed, blocking the device in the box being made by tightening the fasteners, it is possible to tighten or loosen the fasteners to adapt to the size of the device. The conditioning device according to the invention thus makes it possible to completely immobilize the clutch device along the three axes X, Y and Z visible in FIG. 8. By completely, it is meant that the tightening is adjusted so that that there is no clearance between the fasteners 5 and the main part of the clutch device.

The steps of the method of packaging a clutch device using a device according to the invention, illustrated in Figures 4 to 8, are described below. Before use, and therefore folding, the support 3 is in the form of a sheet, for example of cardboard, flat. The main assembly 41 of the clutch device is fixed to the main region 31 of the support with conventional fasteners 5, illustrated in Figures 5 to 8. These fasteners 5 are inserted into the notches 314 formed on the support. The flaps 33 are folded along the folding lines 331 so that the support can be inserted into the box 2, illustrated in Figure 5. The secondary assembly 42 is then disposed in the housing 380 formed by the secondary region 32 of the support 3 , illustrated in Figure 6.

The secondary region 32, as well as the wings 322, 323 of the secondary region 32, are folded along fold lines to close the housing 380, illustrated in Figure 7. Figure 8 illustrates the clutch device in the device conditioning at the end of packaging. The last step, not illustrated, is to fold the lid on the box. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the details given above and allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered by way of illustration, and may be modified without departing from the scope defined by the claims.

Claims (16)

REVENDICATIONS1. Packaging device for a clutch device, said clutch device comprising a main assembly (41) and a secondary assembly (42), the packaging device comprising a housing (380) arranged to house the secondary assembly (42) separately from the main assembly (41) of the clutch device. 2. cDispositif conditioning device according to claim 1, comprising a support, made in one piece, comprising a main region (31) arranged to carry the main assembly (41) and a secondary region (32) arranged to provide said housing (380). 3. Packaging device according to claim 3, wherein the secondary region (32) is made by folding the support. 4. Packaging device according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the secondary region (32) comprises at least one wing (322, 323) folded. 5. Packaging device according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the secondary region (32) comprises two wings (322, 323) folded forming a corner of the housing (380). 6. Packaging device according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the secondary region (32) has an opening (321) for viewing the secondary assembly (42). 7. The packaging device according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the secondary region (32) comprises a partition (324) separating the main assembly (41) of the secondary assembly (42). 8. Packaging device according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the main region (31) comprises at least one notch (314) for passing a fastener (5) for attaching the main assembly (41) on this main region (31). 9. Packaging device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the carrier (3) is cardboard. 10. Packaging device according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a box (2) in which is placed the support (3). 11. Packaging device according to one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the corner of the housing (380) is disposed in a corner of the box (2). 12. Packaging device according to one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the support (3) comprises at least one lug (312) main support arranged to engage in a slot (23) of the box (2). 13. Packaging device according to one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the carrier (3) comprises at least one flap (33) of reinforcement extending perpendicularly to the bottom of the box (2). 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the clutch device is completely immobilized along the axes X, Y and Z. 15. Support for a packaging device according to one of claims 1 to 13, made in one piece, comprising a main region (31) arranged to carry a main assembly (41) of a clutch device and a secondary region (32) arranged to provide a housing (380) for a secondary assembly (42) of a clutch device. 16. A method of packaging a clutch device using a packaging device 1 according to one of claims 1 to 14, comprising the steps of: - fixing the clutch device with fasteners (5) inserted into the notches ( 314) of the support (3), fold the flaps (33) of the support following the folding lines (331) so that the support (3) can be inserted into the box (2), arrange the secondary assembly (42) in the housing (380) formed by the secondary region (32) of the support (3), folding the secondary region (32) and the wings (223, 224) of the secondary region along the lines (321) of folding so to close the dwelling.30