FR3037323A1 - PACKAGING FOR ARTICLES - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a box (10) of parallelepiped shaped packaging of which one of the faces is removable to ensure access to its interior volume. According to the invention, this removable face comprises at least one tab (19) locking / unlocking placed on an edge of said face, the free end of each tab (19) having a locking member (21) configured to lock said edge when it cooperates with a complementary locking element formed in another face of said box, said free end being movable between a first so-called unlocking position where said locking element (21) is placed at a distance from said complementary locking element and a second so-called locking position where these elements are assembled to lock said edge.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a package for articles. It relates in particular to a packaging box for bottles including bottles of wine and spirits, allowing easy opening and reusable of one of its faces to ensure free access to the contents of the box. BACKGROUND ART It is known to package wines and spirits in wooden packing cases to facilitate their transport and storage. Such packaging also protects these bottles in case of shocks. The bottles are typically placed in these boxes so that the cap is always in contact with the liquid so as not to dry out. Once the bottles are introduced into the box, the lid is generally nailed or stapled to close the top opening of this box.

If such packages are adapted to different transport conditions, access to the contents of the box requires the removal of a portion of the staples or nails to dismount one of the walls. However, it is often found that this opening causes the partial destruction of the body which is then no longer reusable.

Moreover, when these boxes are stacked on one another during their storage, for example in a cellar of a private individual or a wholesaler, it may be difficult to determine the contents of one of the boxes. of the stack other than the upper one, for lack of visible marking. Furthermore, when these packaging cases receive "premium" beverages, they may receive a dressing intended to value their contents, for example, leather and / or metal intended to give each package a touch and a particular visual. However, there is still a need for new packaging likely to constitute showcases magnifying exceptional products or for special celebrations. In general, the food industry is looking for new powerful marketing and promotional tools for its products. In addition, an original design of new packaging could give them a second life after tasting wines or spirits. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a package 15 for items that is simple in its design and its operating mode, mechanically resistant to protect its contents from external shocks, a facilitated opening while being reusable. Another object of the present invention is such packaging whose original design is a new marketing vector for the agri-food industry. Yet another object of the present invention is a packing box for articles allowing storage by stacking while ensuring the determination of its contents by simple visual inspection through one of its walls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION To this end, the invention relates to a packaging box of parallelepiped shape, one of the faces is removable to provide access to the interior volume of the box. According to the invention, this removable face comprises at least one locking / unlocking lug placed on an edge of said face, the free end of each lug comprising a locking element configured to lock said edge when it co-operates with an element of complementary locking formed in another face of said box, said free end being movable between a first so-called unlocking position where said locking element is placed at a distance from said complementary locking element 3037323 3 and a second so-called locking position where these elements are assembled to lock said edge. The packaging crate of the present invention can in a particular application related to bottle packaging, be of a shape identical to that of a wooden crate of the prior art but with many advantages: opening / closing facilitated, reusable, aesthetic object, reinforced mechanical rigidity. In various particular embodiments of this storage box, each having its particular advantages and capable of many possible technical combinations: said face comprises two tabs for locking / unlocking said face placed on opposite edges of said face; face has two tabs for locking / unlocking said face placed on the same edge, the opposite edge of said face 15 receiving said tabs, has a tongue protruding, the face immediately adjacent to this edge comprising a slot for receiving this tongue and thus block in position this edge of the face. Advantageously, this tongue makes it possible not only to block the opposite edge in position but also to allow rotation of the face 20 around the longitudinal axis defined by this tongue during removal of the removable face. said face bearing said tabs being the cover of said box, each complementary locking element is formed on a lateral face of said box, said locking element being a protruding member or a cavity, said complementary locking element is respectively a cavity or a protruding member, which are configured to cooperate to ensure the locking in position of said face. This protruding member may be a post or tongue. At least part of said box is transparent, or translucent, to allow the contents of said box to be seen through this part. Advantageously, this box is completely transparent. Preferably, this at least part of the box is made of plastic such as PMMA, polycarbonate or other, or glass. 3037323 4 - this body includes a lighting system for illuminating the interior volume of said body. Preferably, this lighting system makes it possible to illuminate the contents of the bottles packaged in said box in order to confer an original visual effect on the packing box. The combination of an at least partially transparent packaging box and such a lighting system makes it possible to attract the attention of the consumer. This lighting system may comprise a power supply circuit for powering a lighting device comprising one or more LEDs (light-emitting diodes). Optionally, these LEDs may be arranged to form a sign such as the reproduction of the mark or the logo of a great wine or spirits. Alternatively, and in order to make this circuit as less visible as possible, it may be formed essentially transparent electrical conduction means 15 which may comprise for example a conductive transparent oxide material. It may be a TCO film ("Transparent Conductive Oxides") such as that formed with tin-doped indium oxide (ITO). The latter is advantageously colorless and transparent. Preferably, the electrical elements are provided on or in a relatively rigid printed circuit board. This embodiment avoids any deformation of the electrical elements during the insertion of the battery cells and during the use of the lighting system. This lighting system advantageously comprises one or more batteries for supplying this lighting device. Each battery is preferably flat or substantially flat in order not to overload the interior volume of the case. It can act for example button cell. Preferably, this lighting system is disposed in a housing formed in a face of this packing box so as not to be projecting and therefore be vulnerable when the bottles 30 are inserted or removed in the box packaging. This lighting system advantageously comprises a presence sensor for detecting the presence of a person near said body to control the power supply of the lighting device. In this case, it also includes a manual switch to turn on or off the power circuit to conserve battery power when not in use, such as when the cash register is simply stacked. Alternatively, this lighting system may comprise a simple switch (on / off) manual or remote controllable switch, for example by means of a remote control. This switch can be mounted on the body so that its outer surface is flush with that of the wall receiving this switch. - Each tab being obtained by cutting said face and being flexible so as to be movable, it comprises for each tab an opening opening on said corresponding edge to allow the displacement of said free end of this tab. Preferably, this opening is oblong, and even better conical. Such an embodiment also makes it possible to have the outer surface of each flush or partially recessed flap of the outer surface of the remainder of the face so as to be able for example to store these packing cases by stacking. two lateral faces placed opposite said box each comprise at least one vertical groove, which are placed in pairs facing each other, or substantially facing each other, to receive an inner wall delimiting the internal volume of said box. Preferably, this inner wall is formed of two half-walls. These half walls are for example guillotines. They advantageously comprise orifices for the passage of elongated articles such as bottles. One of said faces of said box comprises a single identification element received in a housing of said face or removably assembled on the internal face of said face. Preferably, this unique identification element is a code bar. or a radio frequency identification tag.

This identification element may contain data stored in a storage unit thereof. For purely illustrative purposes, these data can be chosen from the vintage, the number of bottles produced, the variety or blend of grape varieties, the sugar content (raw, dry, extra-dry, etc.), the nominal volume of the bottle, the alcohol content, the present allergen (s), the serving temperature and combinations thereof. 3037323 6 - the surface of the different sides of the crate and inner walls may, indoors or outdoors, receive all kinds of work, for example be smooth or worked, carved or molded, painted, engraved or frosted ; presenting, for example, an embossed pattern meeting, in particular, the artistic and design definition of the box. In the same spirit, each of the sides of the box or interior walls may be pierced, dug, perforated from one side to the other, to reproduce a design pattern or typography a name (or appellation) castle or field for example.

Each of the faces of the box or inner walls, and in particular the upper removable lid, may be specifically treated in original production or color reproduction, carved, painted, engraved, frosted, etc. ; advertising, artistic, commercial or specific purposes, including the legal notices related to the wine or drink appearing in the marketed register (brand, appellation, château, vintage, etc.). In the same way, each box of packing will be numbered individually, in series, marked with signature of artist or designer, vintage ... It will also be able to be published by various commercial and artistic companies (legal entities and their marks).

The present invention further relates to the use of the packaging box as described above for the packaging of bottles of wine and spirits, and more generally the agri-food field. It also relates to the use of this packing box as described above for the packaging of cosmetic products such as perfumes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 shows schematically a packing case 30 according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the box of FIG. 1 without its lid and without the inner walls; FIG. 3 is a plan view of the lid of the box of FIG. 1; Figure 4 is an enlarged, side view of the body cover of FIG. 1 showing the tabs for locking / unlocking the lid; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION First of all, it is noted that the figures are not to scale. Figures 1 to 4 show a box 10 for packaging bottles including wine and spirits, according to a particular embodiment of the invention. This parallelepiped shaped box comprises a body body having an upper opening for introducing and removing bottles and a cover 11 for closing this opening. The body body conventionally comprises a bottom 12 and four side walls 15 rising from this bottom wall. The packing box 10 is rigid and made here in a colorless plastic material ensuring the integral transparency of the box, such as plexiglass. It is thus possible advantageously at a glance to visualize the contents of this box, which is thus highlighted.

Two of the side walls placed opposite each other have cutouts 14 in their upper part free to receive the lid 11 so that the latter is not placed projecting from the side walls 13 of the box. These two side walls placed opposite each other also have vertically aligned vertical grooves for receiving inner walls of the packing box. These also transparent inner walls 16 are each formed of two half-walls provided with orifices 17. In known manner, these inner walls 16, also called guillotines, serve to hold the bottles extending through these orifices 17 in the opening. 10 packing box so that they are wedged in position. Of course, alternatively, the guillotines 17 may be made of other materials, for example wood of all species, metal, glass, crystal, plastic of any color. The cover 11 has at one of its ends a continuous projection 35 or not, which here takes the form of a tongue 18 and at its opposite end two tabs 19 of locking / unlocking placed at the corners of this opposite end. All of these elements thus makes it possible to lock the cover 11 in position on the body of the packing box 10 when they are engaged in complementary locking elements placed on the lateral walls 13 of this box 10. Each leg 19 is obtained by cutting the cover 11 and is flexible relative to its connection with the rest of the cover 11 so that the free end of each tab 19 is movable when moved for example manually. To allow this displacement of the free end of each lug 19, the lid 11 has an opening 20 opening on the corresponding end. This opening 20 here has a substantially conical shape and advantageously allows ventilation of the inner volume of the box 10 packaging. The free end of each tab 19 is further provided on its face 15 facing the outside of the lid 11, a locking member 21, here having the shape of a tongue having a longitudinal axis and whose transverse dimension varies along its longitudinal axis to ensure a uniform engagement thereof, for example over its entire length, in a groove or corresponding cavity formed in a side face of the body when moving the corresponding lug 19. This groove or cavity thus forms here a complementary locking element. Similarly, the side wall of the box immediately adjacent to the end of the cover 11 bearing the projection, here a tab, comprises a slot or a cavity (not shown) depending on the shape of this projection 25 to receive it when positioning the cover 11 on the body body and allow locking in position thereof at this projection. This transparent packaging box 10 may be marketed in a protective envelope (not shown) to prevent scratching of its outer surface. This protective envelope may be cardboard or plastic for example. The realization principle applies to all existing standard cash formats, in France and worldwide, according to the appellations, regions or domains; box of 1 bottle, 2, 3, etc., to 12 bottles of 75 centilitres, 35 on a single layer "flat", or several layers.

This same principle also applies to all existing conventional wine containers, for example: - Half-bottle: from 1 to 24, and beyond; Magnum: from 1 to 6, and beyond; 5 - Double Magnum: from 1 to 3, and beyond; - Jeroboam, Imperial, Methuselah, Salmanazar, Nebuchadnezzar, etc. These containers and their equivalence are rules in force in France, for example Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne; and in the world according to the 10 rules specific to each country or region or name or domain. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the field of agri-food application but finds applications in the field of cosmetics (perfume, cream, ...) or in the field of tobacco (cigars,. ..).

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Packing box of parallelepipedal shape, one of the faces (11) is removable to provide access to the interior volume of this box, characterized in that said removable face comprises at least one lug (19) locking / unlocking placed on an edge of said face, the free end of each tab (19) comprising a locking element (21) configured to lock said edge when it cooperates with a complementary locking element formed in another face of said box, said end free part being movable between a first so-called unlocking position where said locking element (21) is placed at a distance from said complementary locking element and a second so-called locking position where these elements are assembled to lock said edge. 2. Box according to claim 1, characterized in that said face comprises two lugs (19) for locking / unlocking said face placed on opposite edges of said face. 3. Case according to claim 1, characterized in that said face comprises two tabs (19) for locking / unlocking said face placed on one and the same edge, the opposite edge of said face receiving said tabs (19) comprises a tab projecting, the face immediately adjacent to this edge comprising a slot for receiving this tongue and thus block in position the edge of the face. 4. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said face carrying said tabs (19) being the cover (11) of said box, each complementary locking element is provided on a side face of said box . 5. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said locking element (21) being a protruding member or a cavity, said complementary locking element is respectively a recess or a protruding member, which are configured to cooperate to ensure the locking position of said face. 6. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least part of said box is transparent, or translucent, to see the contents of said box through this part. 3037323 11 7. Case according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a lighting system for illuminating the interior volume of said box. 8. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each tab (19) being obtained by cutting said face and being flexible so as to be movable, it comprises for each leg (19) an opening (20) opening on said corresponding edge allow the displacement of said free end of this tab (19). 9. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that two side faces placed opposite said box each comprise at least one groove (15) vertical, which are placed in pairs vis-à-vis , or substantially vis-à-vis, to receive an inner wall (16) delimiting the interior volume of said body. 10. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that one of said faces of said box comprises a single identification element received in a housing of said face or removably assembled on the inner face of said face.