EP0231135A2 - Box pallets - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A box pallet comprising a container (11, 11') of the American case type comprising a base formed of two outer flaps (12, 12') attached by fold lines to two parallel walls (13, 13') and optionally lined by two inner flaps (14, 14') attached to the other two walls, tongues (15, 15'; 16, 16') being cut in said outer flaps (12, 12') with a view to engagement in the ends of and/or slits in associated sleeves arranged perpendicularly to said parallel walls, said sleeves receiving reinforcing blocks (18, 18') of a rigid material, which firmly connects said outer flaps and said sleeves through the intermediary of said tongues, this box pallet being characterized in that said sleeves consist of two independent half sleeves (17, 17') which, after opening of the box pallet, are arranged end to end and firmly connected respectively with said outer flaps (14, 14') through the intermediary of said tongues (15), each half sleeve receiving an independent reinforcing block (18), said half sleeves either being independent or attached in pairs by the wall to be applied against said flaps, with a transverse fold line (20') formed in said wall between said half sleeves.

Description

The present invention relates to packages of the pallet box type, in which parallel longitudinal sleeves, integral with the bottom of a cardboard, corrugated or similar container, receive reinforcement blocks made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, by example of expanded polystyrene, to form a pallet under the container and thus allow it to be transported using forklift trucks.

• - d'une part, la nécessité de réaliser des fourreaux qui soient le moins coûteux possible et, en particulier, s'ils sont en carton, qui consomment le moins possible de matière première, et ce, que ces fourreaux fassent partie intégrante du fond du conteneur ou qu'ils soient rapportés ensuite sur celui-ci;
• - d'autre part, limiter et simplifier les opérations de montage des fourreaux, en particulier lorsque ceux-ci doivent être rapportés et fixés sur le fond du conteneur.

Many variants of such pallet boxes have already been proposed in the art, but they generally all raise the same kind of problems:

• - on the one hand, the need to produce sheaths that are as inexpensive as possible and, in particular, if they are made of cardboard, which consume as little raw material as possible, and that these sheaths are an integral part of the bottom of the container or that they are then brought back onto it;
• - on the other hand, limit and simplify the assembly operations of the sleeves, in particular when these must be attached and fixed to the bottom of the container.

The present invention aims to meet these requirements by proposing a pallet box of the above type, in which the sleeves produced independently of the container can be fixed to the bottom of the latter without using auxiliary fixing means such as glue or staples.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pallet box of this type, in which these are parts of the bottom of the container which cooperate with the reinforcing elements made of rigid or semi-rigid material housed in the sleeves and with the latter. to keep them locked in position against the bottom, without other fixing means.

Finally, the invention aims to propose such a pallet box, which can optionally be delivered pre-assembled and folded flat to users.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a pallet box of the type comprising a container of corrugated cardboard or the like, outside of the bottom of which are fixed at least two parallel rectilinear sleeves forming a housing for at least one reinforcing block in a rigid or semi-rigid material, said pallet box being characterized in that, in the bottom of the container are cut tabs adjoining said bottom and arranged in positions such that they can at least partially close off the ends of said sleeves and / or be engaged in slots cut in the face of said sleeves called to be in contact with the external face of the bottom of the container, said tabs being folded back inside said sleeves under the stress of said reinforcement blocks and being pinched between them ci and the part of the sleeves in contact with the bottom of the container, thereby ensuring that said sleeves are kept in position.

In the pallet box according to the invention, the sleeves are therefore initially independent of the cardboard container, which makes it possible to minimize the amount of cardboard used. Furthermore, these sheaths are made integral in a simple manner with the bottom of the container, without using adhesives or other fixing means, and it is clear that the operations of fitting the sheaths are facilitated and are much less costly than in the prior art.

As will be seen more clearly in the detailed description which follows, the sleeves will nonetheless be perfectly secured to the bottom of the container and the present invention therefore provides specialists in the technique a pallet box having appreciable advantages compared to already known boxes.

The container can be an American box, the tabs then being cut from the flaps forming the external part of the bottom of this American box.

In a pallet box of this type, in order to allow a pre-assembly of the various constituents and the flat folding of the pallet box thus pre-assembled, said sleeves will advantageously consist of two half-sleeves, which, after placing in volume of the pallet box, are arranged end to end and respectively secured to said external flaps by means of said tabs, each half-sleeve receiving an independent reinforcement block, said half-sleeves being either independent or adjoining two by two by the wall intended to be applied against said flaps, with a transverse fold line formed in said wall against said half-sleeves.

• - soit de la manière usuelle pour les caisses américaines, c'est-à-dire avec les parois latérales appliquées deux à deux les unes contre les autres dans le cas où les demi-fourreaux sont indépendants, avec les volets du fond disposés dans le prolongement des parois auxquelles ils sont attenants, les demi-fourreaux et leurs blocs de renfort étant disposés à l'extérieur des volets associés,
• - soit avec les parois opposées auxquelles sont attenants les volets portant les demi-fourreaux appliquées l'une contre l'autre, avec lesdits volets disposés dans leur prolongement, lorsque les demi-fourreaux sont attenants, des lignes de pliage médianes perpendiculaires auxdits blocs de renfort devant, dans ce cas, être prévus dans les deux autres parois et dans les volets attenants, afin de permettre leur pliage en accordéon.

At the end of manufacture of the pallet box, each half-sheath will thus be secured to the bottom flap with which it is associated thanks to the corresponding reinforcement block and it will however be possible to fold the pallet box flat:

• - Either in the usual way for American boxes, that is to say with the side walls applied two by two against each other in the case where the half-sleeves are independent, with the bottom flaps arranged in the extension of the walls to which they are attached, the half-sleeves and their reinforcement blocks being arranged outside the associated flaps,
• - Either with the opposite walls to which are adjacent the flaps carrying the half-sleeves applied one against the other, with said flaps arranged in their extension, when the half-sheaths are contiguous, median fold lines perpendicular to said reinforcing blocks must, in this case, be provided in the other two walls and in the adjoining flaps, in order to allow them to be folded in accordion.

The pre-assembled pallet box can thus be stored, delivered to users and handled in a small volume and its volume setting by users will be as simple as that of the usual American boxes.

Of course, pallet boxes of this type can also be delivered to unassembled users, that is to say with their separate components, and, in this case, even if said half-sleeves are attached two by two, it will not be necessary to provide fold lines in the other walls and in the associated shutters.

Depending on the uses of the pallet box mounted, the flaps carrying the sleeves may be left independent or made integral by gluing or stapling the internal flaps, or even be made integral with one another by a gummed strip.

• La figure 1 est une vue éclatée, illustrant les positions relatives des différents organes: fond de l'emballage, fourreaux, languettes et blocs de renfort;
• La figure 2 montre un fourreau fixé sur le fond de l'emballage;
• La figure 3 est une vue éclatée de la partie de fond d'une autre caisse-palette selon l'invention, dans laquelle des demi-fourreaux solidaires du fond sont indépendants;
• La figure 4 représente la partie de fond de la caisse de la figure 3 en position d'utilisation;
• La figure 5 illustre le pliage des volets externes du fond de la caisse-palette représentée sur les figures 3 et 4, en vue de la mise à plat de celle-ci;
• Les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues analogues aux figures 3 et 4 d'une autre forme de réalisation;
• La figure 8 illustre le pliage de cette dernière forme de réalisation.

The appended schematic drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples, illustrate an embodiment of the invention. In these drawings:

• Figure 1 is an exploded view, illustrating the relative positions of the various bodies: bottom of the packaging, sleeves, tongues and reinforcing blocks;
• Figure 2 shows a sheath attached to the bottom of the package;
• Figure 3 is an exploded view of the bottom part of another pallet box according to the invention, in which half-sleeves integral with the bottom are independent;
• Figure 4 shows the bottom part of the box of Figure 3 in the use position;
• Figure 5 illustrates the folding of the external flaps of the bottom of the pallet box shown in Figures 3 and 4, for the flattening thereof;
• Figures 6 and 7 are views similar to Figures 3 and 4 of another embodiment;
• FIG. 8 illustrates the folding of this latter embodiment.

The container 1 forming part of the pallet box shown is of the American box type, and its bottom consists of two external flaps 2 of corrugated cardboard or the like, adjoining two side walls 3 and lined internally with two adjoining flaps 4 to the other two walls.

In the flaps 2 are cut, in the extension of the walls 3, tongues 5 and, in the middle part, two tongues 6, intended to make the sheath 7 integral with the bottom of the packaging.

This sheath 7 has a square section, in this case. It can be made of corrugated cardboard or any other semi-rigid material. It is intended to receive reinforcement blocks 8, in expanded polystyrene for example, of corresponding section, two in number in this case.

The tongues 5, when they are in the position shown in the drawing, that is to say in the extension of the wall 3, are placed substantially at the ends of the sheath 7, while the tongues 6, when they are straightened parallel to the walls 3, can penetrate into slots 9, formed in the face of the sheath 7 called to be in contact with the flaps 2. If the sheath 7 is brought into the position of use, by engaging the tongues 6 in the slots 9 and applying the sheath against the bottom of the container, it then suffices to engage the blocks 8 in the sheath 7 from each of its ends to fold inwards against the part of the sheath which comes into contact with the bottom of the container, first the tabs 5, then the tabs 6, which are thus pinched between the blocks 8 and the sheath. These tabs are therefore locked in position and consequently immobilize the sleeve 7, which is thus perfectly secured to the bottom of the container (FIG. 2), without any auxiliary means of fixing having been used.

The pallet box 11 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 is also of the American box type, and its bottom consists of two external flaps 12 of corrugated cardboard or the like, adjoining two parallel side walls 13 and lined internally by two flaps 14 adjoining the other two walls.

In the flaps 12 are cut, in the extension of the walls 13, tongues 15 and, in the middle part, two tongues 16, intended to make the flaps 12 integral respectively with a half-sheath 17. The half-sheaths integral with the flaps 12 are independent of each other, but associated two by two, in the extension of one another, to form sleeves within the meaning of the invention.

The half-sleeves 17 are of square section, in this case. They can be made of corrugated cardboard or any other semi-rigid material. They are intended to receive reinforcement blocks 18, in expanded polystyrene for example, of corresponding section.

The tongues 15, when they are in the position shown in the drawing, that is to say in the extension of the wall 13, are placed substantially at the ends of the sheath 17, while the tongues 16, when they are straightened parallel to the walls 13, can penetrate into slots 19, formed in the face of the sheath 17 called to be in contact with flaps 12.

As before, the positioning of the half-sleeves 17 on the associated flaps 12 is carried out by engaging the tongues 16 in the slots 19 and by applying the half-sleeves against the bottom of the container. It then suffices to engage the blocks 18 in the half-sleeves 17, from their outer end, to fold inwards, against the part of the half-sheath which comes into contact with the bottom of the container, first the tongues 15, then the tongues 16, which are thus pinched between the blocks 18 and the half-sheath. These tongues are therefore locked in position and consequently immobilize the half-sleeves 17, which are thus perfectly secured to the external flaps 12, without any auxiliary means of fixing having been used.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, in the position of use, of the pallet box, the half-sleeves 17 and their reinforcement blocks 18 are in the extension of one another and are thus equivalent to the sleeves and to the reinforcement blocks of the previous pallet box. Of course, the bottom of the pallet box is equipped with several pairs of half-sleeves and blocks arranged in parallel, on which the container can bear and which allow it to be moved using a transport or lifting trolley .

The half-sleeves 17 and the blocks 18 arranged in the extension of each other are however independent, so that it is possible to bring the flaps 12 equipped with the half-sleeves and their reinforcing block in the extension of the walls 13 adjoining, as were the flaps 14 associated with the other two walls, in order to be able to fold the pallet box flat in the usual manner for American boxes.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 where the members already described retain the same reference numbers assigned to the index ', the half-sleeves 17' are no longer independent, but have in common two by two, the wall intended to be applied against the flaps 12 ', with a transverse fold line 20' formed in this wall between the half-sleeves.

The mounting of the sleeves and the positioning of the reinforcement blocks 18 ′ are carried out in the same way as in the variant described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, and can be easily carried out by the users. If the pallet box must be delivered to them with its pre-assembled constituent elements, as in the case of the variant described above, it will be necessary, in this case, to provide on the walls adjoining the walls 13 ′ and on the flaps 14 'median fold lines such as 21', allowing the folding in accordion of these walls and these flaps, in order to apply the walls 13 'one against the other, with, in their extension, the flaps 12 'bearing the pre-assembled sheaths and reinforcement blocks.

Note the great simplicity of these American boxes, which can be assembled and / or shaped by non-specialized personnel without using any tool whatsoever.

Claims (4)

1. Pallet box of the type comprising a container (1) of corrugated cardboard or the like, outside of the bottom of which are fixed at least two rectilinear sheaths (7) parallel forming housing for at least one block (8) of reinforcement in a rigid or semi-rigid material, said pallet box being characterized in that, in the bottom of the container are cut tabs (5, 6) adjoining said bottom and arranged in positions such that they can at least partially close the ends of said sleeves and / or be engaged in slots (9) cut in the face of said sleeves called to be in contact with the external face of the bottom of the container, said tabs (9) being folded back inside said sleeves (7) under the stress of said reinforcement blocks (8) and being pinched between them and the part of the sleeves in contact with the bottom of the container, thereby ensuring that said sleeves are kept in position. 2. Pallet box according to claim 1, characterized in that said container is of the American box type and in that said tabs (5, 8) are cut in the flaps (2) forming the external part of the bottom of this box American. 3. Pallet box according to claim 2, in which the container (11, 11 ') of the American box type comprises a bottom formed by two external flaps (12, 12') adjoining by a fold line with two parallel walls (13 , 13 ') and possibly doubled by two internal flaps (14, 14') adjoining the other two walls, tabs (15, 15 '; 16, 16') being cut out from said external flaps (12, 12 ') in view to be engaged in the ends and / or associated sheath slots, arranged perpendicular to said parallel walls, said sheaths receiving reinforcement blocks (18, 18 ') made of a rigid material, which secure said external flaps and said sleeves by means of said tongues, this pallet box being characterized in that said sleeves consist of two independent half-sleeves (17, 17 '), which, after the pallet box has been placed in volume, are arranged end to end and respectively secured to said external flaps (14, 14') by means of said tabs (15), each half-sleeve receiving a block (18) of independent reinforcement, said half-sleeves being either independent or adjoining two by two by the wall intended to be applied against said flaps, with a transverse fold line (20 ′) formed in said wall between said half - sheaths. 4. Pallet box according to claim 3, wherein said half-sleeves (17 ') are adjoining two by two, characterized in that, in order to allow folding flat of the pre-assembled pallet box, the side walls to which are not adjoining the flaps (12 ') carrying said half-sleeves and the flaps associated with said walls have a center fold line (21 ¹ ) perpendicular to said half-sleeves.

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