BE1022106B1 - PACKAGING, PATTERN FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH PACKAGING AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING PRODUCTS USING SUCH PACKAGING - Google Patents

Abstract

Package (1) with a bottom (2) surrounded by side walls (3-6) having side edges (7) defining an opening (8) comprising at least the bottom (2), provided with a pair of movable or removable support portions (10 ), wherein in a supportive position the support portions (10) extend along the side edges (7) of two opposite side walls (5,6), parallel to the bottom (2) and the support portions (10) the dimensions of the opening ( 8) to form a support on which a bottom (.2) of an upper package (1) can be stacked, the opening (8) being completely free in a non-supporting position.

Description

Packaging, cartridge for manufacturing such packaging and method for packaging products using such packaging.

The present invention relates first and foremost to a package.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a package in the form of a bin, tub, crate, box or box or the like, suitable for storing and / or storing products such as vegetables, fruit and flowers and so on.

Such packaging is widely known and must have an open structure to guarantee a high quality, freshness and / or shelf life of the products in question for a longer period of time.

The products for which the packaging is suitable are, for example, typical products that must remain fresh due to sufficient air circulation, such as vegetables, fruit, flowers, seafood, fish, meat and so on.

Other products, for which the same principle applies that the shelf life requires a certain open structure and air circulation, naturally also belong to the intended target group of products for which the packaging according to the invention is extremely suitable.

These products can, for example, also be certain textile products or clothing and the like.

In particular, the present invention relates to such a package provided with a bottom surrounded by side walls having side edges defining an opening with dimensions that at least include the bottom and along which the products can be arranged in the package.

In short, with regard to the packages to which this invention relates, it is intended that the products can be placed very easily on the bottom of the package through a large opening without being impeded in any way.

A typical example is the packaging of so-called vine tomatoes, in which preferably a whole branch of a tomato plant which is provided with numerous tomatoes as a whole is brought into the package, and more particularly to the bottom of the package, without being hindered thereby by protrusions on the edges of the side walls of the package.

Of course the same applies to many other products that have a dimension that almost corresponds to the dimensions of the packaging and in particular the bottom of the packaging, such as flowers, asparagus, leeks, celery, etc ...

According to the prior art, a number of packages are already known for this purpose, but these generally show a number of disadvantages.

A drawback of the known packages which are provided with an opening that is wider than the bottom is that they cannot be stacked.

After all, the dimensions of the bottom of a similar package are smaller than the opening of an underlying package, so that stacking is impossible.

Other known packages, which are stackable, generally have an opening whose dimensions are smaller than the bottom, but this greatly complicates the application of the products with dimensions of an order of magnitude from the bottom of the package.

Still other known packages that are stackable are simply provided with a lid, but this type of packages is extremely unsuitable for storing products for which this invention is intended because of the closed structure.

Moreover, these packages require a great deal of material, which entails enormous costs on a large scale, which is also typically the case when packaging countries for horticultural products.

Furthermore, the two last-known known embodiments of packages also have the disadvantage that the products packed in the package are not or hardly visible.

As a result, the products can hardly be recognized and inspection of them, for example for freshness, is very difficult.

Furthermore, the presentation of the products leaves something to be desired, which is often not permitted for marketing or sales reasons.

The present invention therefore has for its object to offer a solution to one or more of the aforementioned and / or other disadvantages.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to offer a package that allows, on the one hand, to easily place products with a dimension that substantially corresponds to the dimensions of the bottom of the package in the package, and, on the other hand, to facilitate several such packages. to stack.

An additional purpose here is to sufficiently expose the products in question in the package to the ambient air and to keep the products packed in the package sufficiently visible, for example for inspection and / or to be able to present them in an aesthetic way in order to be able to present them in an aesthetic way. attractive way to offer in a sales environment.

A further object of the invention is to offer packages that can be easily nested in an unused or empty condition, so that a lot of space can be saved.

To this end, the present invention relates to a package in the form of a bin, tub, crate, box or box or the like, suitable for storing and / or storing products, with a bottom surrounded by side walls having side edges defining an opening with dimensions comprising at least the bottom and along which the products can be arranged in the package, wherein the package is provided with a pair of movable or removable support sections, which can be brought into a support-offering position and a non-supportive position, wherein the support-offering the support sections extend along the side edges of two opposite side walls, parallel to the bottom and the support sections limit the dimensions of the opening to the extent that the support sections form a support on which a bottom of an upper, similar such package can be stacked, and wherein the opening is completely free in the non-supporting position.

A major advantage of such a package according to the invention is that the package actually has two modes of operation.

In particular, there is a first modus operandi, which corresponds to a non-supporting position of the support sections, in which products can easily be arranged in the package, since the opening at the top of the package is completely free.

Furthermore, in this mode of operation, various packages can easily be stacked into one another in a nested way and, for example, themselves packed in a surrounding box or the like.

Furthermore, there is a second modus operandi corresponding to a support position of the support sections, the support sections being intended to be used as support for a subsequent, similar package that is stacked on top of the relevant package.

In this way a stackable package is obtained which also allows products to be packaged whose dimensions substantially correspond to those of the bottom of the package and whereby packaging can take place quickly and efficiently, while still maintaining a sufficient air flow.

Another advantage of this type of packaging is that even in a stacked state of several such packages, the products can remain clearly visible.

According to a preferred embodiment of a package according to the invention, the package is made from one piece of cardboard that has been cut, folded and glued into a tub with movable flaps on either side provided on a relevant side edge of the aforementioned two opposite side walls, the supporting portions each formed by such a movable flap, which is movable between a collapsed position parallel to the bottom and an upright position parallel to the relevant side wall.

A major advantage of such an embodiment of a package according to the invention is that such a package is very inexpensive and can be manufactured in a very simple manner, which makes it possible to use the package on a large scale.

Moreover, such packaging meets the aforementioned objective of efficient use during packaging as well as during stacking, while furthermore maintaining an open structure that guarantees the freshness of the products, as well as allowing a beautiful presentation thereof.

The invention also relates to a cartridge for manufacturing a package according to the invention as described above.

Such a pattern according to the invention is preferably made of a piece of cardboard that has been cut into a form which is centrally provided with a rectangular part intended to form a bottom, wherein a trapezoidal part is provided along each side of the rectangular part for forming of a side wall, wherein a first pair of opposite trapezoidal portions is laterally provided with lugs intended to connect the side walls, and wherein the other, second pair of opposite trapezoidal portions has a head end provided with a flap to form a support portion.

It is clear that such a pattern is very simple and inexpensive to make on an industrial scale and that it meets all the aforementioned requirements and therefore also offers the aforementioned advantages.

Finally, the invention also relates to a method for packaging products using packages according to the invention as described above.

More specifically, a method according to the invention comprises at least the following steps: - bringing the support parts of the package into the non-supporting position; - applying one or more products in the package along the completely free opening; - bringing the support portions of the package into the support position; and, - placing a subsequent package on the support portions.

It is precisely because of the shape of a package according to the invention that a combination of the aforementioned steps of a method according to the invention is made possible, which of course entails the advantages of simple packaging of the intended products and simple stacking of several packages. .

With the insight to better demonstrate the characteristics of the invention, a few preferred embodiments of a package and a cartridge for manufacturing such a package according to the invention are described below as an example without any limiting character, as well as a method according to the invention for packaging of products with such packages, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: figure 1 represents a package according to the invention in perspective, wherein the support sections have been brought into a non-supporting position; figure 2 represents the package from figure 1 in perspective, wherein the support sections have been brought into a supporting position; figures 3 and 4 show side views of the package from figure 2 according to arrows F3 and F4; figure 5 represents a top view according to arrow F5 in figure 2; figures 6 and 7 show side views of a stack of three packages according to the invention; and, figure 8 represents a pattern according to the invention for manufacturing a package, as represented in the preceding figures.

A possible embodiment of a package 1 according to the invention is shown in figures 1 to 5.

This package 1, as represented in the position of figure 1, has the shape of a tray or tub, by which it is meant that it has a simple structure, consisting of a bottom 2 surrounded by side walls 3 to 6.

The bottom 2 is rectangular, although this is not strictly necessary according to the invention.

The package 1 in this case has a pair of longitudinal side walls 3 and 4 according to the length L of the package 1.

Furthermore, the package 1 in this case has a pair of lateral side walls 5 and 6 which extend along the width B of the package 1.

These side walls 3 to 6 each have side edges 7 which together define an opening 8, along which products 9, for example a branch with vine tomatoes 9 or the like, can be arranged in the package 1.

In the figures, the products 9 are only symbolically represented by means of a circle.

The introduction already extensively discussed the fact that a package 1 according to the invention is equally well suited for other products.

With a package 1 according to the invention, it is intended that the dimensions of the opening 8 comprise at least the bottom 2.

Put another way, the hole formed by the opening 8 is larger than the bottom 2.

To this end, the side walls 3 to 6 are tapered outwards from the bottom 2 in this case.

This makes it possible to stack the packages 1 nested, at least when they have been brought into a position as shown in figure 1.

A special feature of the package 1 according to the invention, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, is that the package 1 is provided with a pair of support sections 10, which in this case are of movable design.

Due to their movability, these support portions 10 can be brought into two positions, more particularly in a non-supportive position, as shown in Figure 1, and a support-providing position, as shown in Figure 2.

In the embodiment shown, the support sections 10 are each formed by a movable flap 11 provided on a respective side edge 7 of the two opposite side walls 5 and 6 of the package 1.

These support portions 10 are movable between an upright position parallel to the relevant side wall 5 or 6, as shown in Figure 1, and a folded down position parallel to the bottom 2, as shown in Figure 2.

In the non-supporting position, shown in Figure 1, the opening 8 is completely free and products 9 can be provided in the package 1 without encountering any obstacle.

For example, in the supporting position, as shown in Figure 2, the supporting sections 10 extend along the side edges 7 of the two opposite lateral side walls 5 and 6, parallel to the bottom 2.

Here, the support sections 10 limit the dimensions of the opening 8 to dimensions that are smaller than the dimensions of the bottom 2, so that the support sections 10 can form a support on which a bottom 2 of an upper, similar such package 1 can be stacked.

This is shown by way of example in figures 6 and 7.

The support sections 10 are designed as flaps 11 which extend in the support-providing position along the lateral side walls 5 and 6.

In this case, each flap 11 has a T-shape and is centrally connected via a fold line 12 to the relevant side wall 5 or 6.

Here, each flap 11 in this case has a length K that is greater than the width B of the package 1, at least at the location of the opening 8, in order to be able to rest on the longitudinal side walls 3 and 4.

In the embodiment shown, the package 1 according to the invention has longitudinal side walls 3 and 4 which are provided with hook-shaped portions 13.

The support portions 10 are furthermore also provided with slots 14 which can cooperate with the hook-shaped portions 13 in order to be able to hold the support portions 10 in the support-providing position.

All side walls 3 to 6 of the package 1 have sections 14 with a height H measured from the bottom 2 that is greater than the distance D between the support sections 10 and the bottom 2 when they are in the support-providing position.

These portions 14 form edges intended to hold an upper package 1 within the contours of the side walls 3 to 6 of an lower package 1.

According to a preferred embodiment of a package 1 according to the invention, one or more side walls 3 to 6 have a portion 15 with a height E measured from the bottom 2 that is smaller than the distance D between the support portions 10 and the. bottom 2 when they are in the supporting position.

This is also the case in the figures shown, at least for the longitudinal side walls 3 and 4.

Figure 8 shows a cartridge 16 according to the invention that can be used for manufacturing a package 1 as described above.

The pattern 16 consists of a piece of cardboard that has been cut into a shape that is centrally provided with a rectangular portion 17.

This part 17 is intended to form the bottom 2 of the package 1.

A trapezoidal portion 19 is provided along each side 18 of the rectangular portion 17.

Trapezoidal should be seen here broadly in the sense that with these sections 19 it is intended to be able to form a side wall 3 to 6 which is tapered outwardly starting from the bottom 2.

A first pair of opposite trapezoidal portions 20 and 21 is laterally provided with lugs 22.

These ears 22 are intended to be able to connect the side walls 3 to 6, for example with glue.

The other, second pair of opposite trapezoidal portions 23 and 24 has a head end 25 which is provided with a flap 26 to form a support portion 10.

In the embodiment of Figure 7, a hook 13 directed to the respective ear 22 is cut out at the first pair of opposite trapezoidal sections 20 and 21 at a distance X from each ear 22 corresponding to the width Y of the flaps 26.

Furthermore, the flaps 26 are provided with slots 14 which, after assembling the cartridge 16 into a package 1, can cooperate with the hooks 13, with the intention of being able to hold the flaps 26 behind the hooks 13.

Each flap 26 is furthermore provided on both sides with an L-shaped incision 27, so that each flap has a T-shape.

Each flap 26 is also still centrally connected via a bending line 12 to the relevant trapezoidal portion 23 or 24.

The embodiments discussed here are merely examples.

In another embodiment, for example, it is not excluded that the support portions 10 can be made removably. "

For example, the support portions 10 can each be formed by a separate, removable, flat element that is only provided to support an overlying package 1 without being connected to the rest of the package 1.

The invention is by no means limited to the embodiments of a package 1 and a cartridge 16 according to the invention described as an example and illustrated with reference to the figures, but such package 1 and such a cartridge 16 can be realized in all sorts of other ways without being outside the scope of the invention. within the scope of the invention.

The invention is also not limited to the described examples of methods according to the invention for packaging products with packages according to the invention.

Claims (14)

Conclusions 1. Packaging (1) in the form of a container, tub, crate, box or box or the like, suitable for storing and / or storing products (9) such as vegetables, fruit and flowers, surrounded by a bottom (2) by side walls (3-6) having side edges (7) defining an opening (8) with dimensions comprising at least the bottom (2) and along which the products (9) can be arranged in the package (1), characterized in that the package (1) is provided with a pair of movable or removable support sections (10), which can be brought into a supporting position and a non-supporting position, wherein in the supporting position the supporting sections (10) extend along the side edges (7) of two opposite side walls (5, 6) parallel to the bottom (2) and the support sections (10) limit the dimensions of the opening (8) to the extent that the support sections (10) form a support on which a bottom (2) can be stacked from an overlying similar package (1), and, w in the non-supporting position, the opening (8) is completely free. Package (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support sections (10) are each formed by a movable flap (11) provided on a respective side edge (7) of the aforementioned two opposite side walls (5, 6) and which is movable between a folded position parallel to the bottom (2) and an upright position parallel to the relevant side wall (5, 6). The package (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support portions (10) are each formed by a separate, removable, flat element. Package (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the package (1) has a pair of lateral side walls (5, 6) along the width (B) of the package (1), as well as a pair of longitudinal side walls (3, 4) according to the length (L) of the package (1) and that the support sections (10) extend in the supporting position along the lateral side walls (5, 6) and have a length (K) greater than the width (B) of the package, at the location of the opening (8), in order to be able to rest on the longitudinal side walls (3, 4). Packaging (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that longitudinal side walls (3, 4) are provided with hook-shaped parts (13) and the supporting parts (10) of slots (14) which can cooperate with it in order to retaining support portions (10) in the support position. Packaging (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side walls (3-6) of the packaging (1) have sections (14) with a height (H) measured from the bottom (2) that is greater than the distance (D) between the support sections (10) and the bottom (2), when they are in the support-providing position, to form edges intended for an upper package (1) within the contours of the side walls (3-6). Packaging (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more side walls (3, 4) have or have a part (15) with a height (E) measured from the bottom (2) that is smaller is then the distance (D) between the support sections (10) and the bottom (2) when they are in the support-providing position. Package (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the package (1) is made from one piece of cardboard that has been cut, folded and glued into a tub with flaps (11) that can be moved on both sides. Packaging (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side walls (3-6) are tapered outwards from the bottom (2). Package (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a number of similar such packages (1) can be stacked nested when the support sections (10) have been brought into the non-supporting position. A cartridge (16) for manufacturing a package (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is formed by a piece of cardboard that has been cut into a shape that is centrally provided with a rectangular portion (17) ), intended to form a bottom (2), wherein along each side (18) of the rectangular part (17) a trapezoidal part (19) is provided to form a side wall (3-6), wherein a first pair of opposite trapezoidal portions (20, 21) is laterally provided with lugs (22) intended to connect the side walls (3-6), and wherein the other, second pair of opposite trapezoidal portions (23, 24) has a head end (25) which is provided with a flap (26) for forming a support portion (10). A cartridge (16) according to claim 11, characterized in that in the first pair of opposite trapezoidal portions (20, 21) at a distance (X) from each ear (22) corresponding to the width (Y) of the flaps (26) ) forming the support portions (10), a hook (13) facing the respective ear (22) is cut out and the flaps (26) are provided with slots (14) which, after assembling the cartridge (16), form a package (1), can cooperate with the hooks (13) to hold the flaps (26) behind the hooks (13). Cartridge (16) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that each flap (26) is provided on both sides with an L-shaped incision (27), so that each flap (26) has a T-shape and wherein each flap ( 26) is centrally connected via a crease line (12) to the relevant trapezoidal portion (19). Method for packaging products (9) with the aid of packages (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the method comprises at least the following steps: - bringing the non-supporting position of the support portions (10) of the package (1); - applying one or more products (9) in the package (1) along the completely free opening (8); - bringing the supporting parts (10) of the package (1) into the supporting position; and - placing a subsequent package (1) on the support portions (10).