EP0284529B1 - Packaging of products in a transparent film, process for the production of this package and device for carrying out the process - Google Patents

Abstract

This packaging comprises: - a plate (4) made from cardboard or the like, intended to act as a support for one or more products (3) to be packaged, of which the face receiving the product or products receives a coating with a layer (6) of synthetic material, - a first sheet of synthetic material (7) which, intended to cover the upper face of the plate and the product or products resting thereon, with fastening thereon, under the action of heat and with the application of a vacuum through the plate, extends beyond the peripheral edge of the plate, and, - a second sheet of synthetic material (8) which, intended to cover the lower face of the plate, is fastened to the upper covering sheet by means of a peripheral weld (9) thereon beyond the edge of the plate. <??>Application to the production of a tamper-proof packaging enabling the packaged product to be seen. <IMAGE>

Description

The subject of the present invention is a packaging for packaging products under a transparent film, a process for producing this packaging, and a device for carrying out this process.

It is usual to package widely distributed products on a support or in a packaging allowing the product to be hung on the hook of a display, while ensuring the visualization of the product as well as its protection.

A first package known as SKINPACK, comprises a cardboard plate whose face intended to receive the product is coated with a layer of synthetic material, such as polyvinyl chloride. After depositing the product on the plate, a sheet of synthetic material, brought to a temperature at which the material is malleable, is applied to the face of the plate on which the product is deposited, while carrying out a suction through the plate. Due to the malleable nature of the sheet, it follows the shape of the product and presses it against the plate, while adhering to it, taking into account the temperature at which it is located. A package of this type is described in the preamble of document FR-A-1,531,066.

If such a packaging is simple and economical to produce, it has the disadvantage of not ensuring good protection of the packaged product against theft, taking into account the delamination facilities of the cardboard plate and the sheet of synthetic material. covering it.

Document US-A-3 083 106 describes a package, in particular for food products, produced from two plastic films between which the products are placed, and which are made integral with one another by a peripheral weld .

Another package known as a blister, comprises a cardboard plate coated with a film of synthetic material, such as polyvinyl chloride and a shell of synthetic material, such as rigid polyvinyl chloride, molded in the shape of product.

After positioning the product in the shell, the shell is fixed to the plate by hot pressure. A first drawback of this technique lies in its cost of implementation since it is necessary to have one mold per product to be packaged, this mold being intended to carry out by thermoforming the molding of the plate of rigid synthetic material. In addition, the product is not fixed on the plate since there is a certain clearance between it and the plastic shell, the visualization of the product through the shell is average, and it is not possible to touch it through the hull. Finally, this packaging does not have a serious inviolability character due to the possibilities of delamination of the shell and the cardboard.

Another package, called double-shell packaging, comprises a lower shell in which a product is placed, a plate being placed without being attached to it, between two shells or between a shell and a plate made of synthetic material, for example rigid polyvinyl chloride. , joined to each other at their periphery by a high frequency welding operation.

If this packaging has the advantage of having an inviolability much higher than that of the previous packaging, it has the disadvantage of being very expensive to use since it is necessary to have molds specific to each product to thermoform the hulls, and it requires a sophisticated welding installation. Other disadvantages of the packaging reside in the fact that it is bulky, that the plate does not adhere to the shells and that the packaged product does not adhere to the plate.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by providing a packaging of simple design, with a reduced implementation price, ensuring excellent inviolability of the packaged products, while allowing excellent viewing of these products.

To this end, the packaging it relates to, of the type comprising a cardboard plate or the like intended to serve as a support for one or more products to be packaged, the face of which receives the product or products receives a coating of a layer of synthetic material, and a first sheet of synthetic material which, intended to cover the upper face of the plate and the product or products resting thereon, with fixing thereon, under the action of heat and with application of a depression through the plate, this first sheet serving to retain the product or products on the plate, is characterized in that the first sheet projects beyond the peripheral edge of the plate and in that it comprises a second sheet of synthetic material which, intended to cover the underside of the plate, is fixed to the first upper cover sheet by a peripheral weld on it beyond the edge of the plate, this second sheet protecting the connection zone between the edge of the plate and the first sheet by preventing access to this zoned.

It follows from its structure that the packaging according to the invention has all the advantages of packaging of the SKINPACK type, since the plate adheres to the upper covering sheet, which intimately follows the product or products deposited on the plate, while having excellent inviolability, due to the peripheral weld formed between the upper and lower covering sheets, which prevents access to the connection zone between the edge of the plate and the upper sheet, and avoids the risks of delamination of these two elements.

Insofar as the packaging has an opening for hanging from a hook of a display, an opening is made in the plate, before fixing the covering sheets, and a weld is made between the upper and lower covering sheets in below the edge of the opening in the plate. This last weld prevents any risk of delamination of the upper sheet and the plate from the opening.

Advantageously, the upper and lower covering sheets are made of the same material.

More preferably, the material constituting the upper and lower coating sheets is chosen to make a connection of these by heat sealing or by pulse welding.

Thus, for example, the facing faces of the upper and lower coating sheets may be based on polyethylene, ionomer resin known for example under the brand SURLYN, or a butadiene-styrene copolymer, such as those known under the K-RESIN and STYROLUX brands. Such products have the advantage compared to PVC of allowing welding with simple techniques, and of recovering material scraps.

According to a first possibility, the plate on which the product to be conditioned is deposited is flat.

According to another possibility, the plate on which the product to be packaged is deposited has a peripheral edge obtained by cutting and creasing the side from which the plate is cut, and folding the edges at 90 °, this rim being covered by the covering sheet. upper, which keeps it in good shape. Such a solution allows better development of the packaged products, due to their presentation in a packaging forming a case.

In the case where several packages are produced simultaneously, they are covered with the same upper coating sheet and with the same lower coating sheet, the packages being separated from each other during the welding operation of the upper sheets. and lower.

One method for producing this packaging consists in depositing one or more products on a plate, the upper face of which is coated with a layer of synthetic material, in covering the plate with an upper sheet of coating of synthetic material, with an area greater than that of the plate, the contacting between the sheet and the plate being carried out after the sheet has been brought to its softening temperature and by exerting a vacuum through the plate. According to the invention, this method consists in covering the plate with a lower covering sheet, and finally in welding the upper and lower covering sheets beyond the peripheral edge of the plate.

In the case where the plate has a peripheral rim, it is first positioned inside a frame ensuring the shaping of the rims, from which it is removed before welding of the lower covering sheet.

• un premier poste où plusieurs plaques sont positionnées sur un même plateau,
• un deuxième poste où chaque plateau est amené au contact de la feuille de revêtement supérieure et où il est procédé à la fixation de cette feuille sur les plaques reposant sur ce plateau et,
• un troisième poste où la feuille de revêtement supérieure solidaire des plaques portant les produits est soudée sur la feuille de revêtement inférieure avec découpe simultanée des deux feuilles pour séparer les emballages les uns des autres,
  un rouleau horizontal étant disposé en amont du deuxième poste, à partir duquel la feuille de revêtement supérieure est dévidée jusqu'à l'extrémité aval de la machine, et un second rouleau parallèle au premier, disposé entre les second et troisième poste, à partir duquel est dévidée la feuille de revêtement inférieure jusqu'à l'extrémité aval de la machine, le second poste étant associé à un dispositif de transfert vertical permettant d'amener un plateau au contact de la feuille supérieure avec ménagement d'une dépression à travers le plateau, avant redescente et évacuation du plateau, les plaques préalablement déposées sur le plateau demeurant solidaires de la feuille supérieure et étant amenées par cette dernière au-dessus de la feuille de revêtement inférieure, les deux feuilles étant assemblées par soudage au niveau du troisième poste avec découpe simultanée des emballages, ces emballages étant évacués en aval du troisième poste, zone dans laquelle il est procédé à l'évacuation des chutes de matière, par exemple par enroulement sur un rouleau.

A device for implementing this method comprises from upstream to downstream:

• a first station where several plates are positioned on the same tray,
• a second station where each tray is brought into contact with the upper covering sheet and where this sheet is fixed to the plates resting on this tray and,
• a third station where the upper covering sheet integral with the plates carrying the products is welded to the lower covering sheet with simultaneous cutting of the two sheets to separate the packages from each other,
  a horizontal roller being arranged upstream of the second station, from which the upper covering sheet is unwound to the downstream end of the machine, and a second roller parallel to the first, arranged between the second and third station, from from which is unwound the sheet of lower covering up to the downstream end of the machine, the second station being associated with a vertical transfer device making it possible to bring a plate into contact with the upper sheet with provision for a depression through the plate, before descending and evacuation of the tray, the plates previously deposited on the tray remaining integral with the upper sheet and being brought by the latter above the lower covering sheet, the two sheets being assembled by welding at the third station with simultaneous cutting of the packaging , these packages being evacuated downstream of the third station, zone in which there is the evacuation of the material falls, for example by winding on a roller.

• Figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'un premier emballage ;
• Figure 2 en est une vue en perspective en position finie ;
• Figure 3 en est une vue en coupe transversale selon la ligne III-III de figure 2 ;
• Figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un second emballage ;
• Figure 5 est une vue en coupe transversale selon la ligne V-V de figure 4, de cet emballage en cours de réalisation ;
• Figure 6 est une vue très schématique, en perspective, d'un dispositif de fabrication d'emballages ;
• Figure 7 est une vue en coupe longitudinale du dispositif de figure 6.

In any case, the invention will be clearly understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing showing, by way of nonlimiting examples, several forms of execution of this packaging and a device for placing implementing the process for producing this packaging:

• Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first package;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view in the finished position;
• Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line III-III of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second package;
• Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along line VV of Figure 4, of this packaging in progress;
• Figure 6 is a very schematic perspective view of a packaging manufacturing device;
• FIG. 7 is a view in longitudinal section of the device in FIG. 6.

The packaging represented in FIGS. 1 to 3, and designated by the general reference 2, is intended for the packaging of a tool constituted in this case by a screwdriver 3. This packaging comprises a cardboard plate 4 the upper face of which receives, by printing, decorative patterns and / or indications concerning the description and use of the tool. This plate 4 which has an opening 5 intended for hanging the packaging from a hook, is coated on its upper face with a layer 6 of synthetic material. To this plate 4 is associated a sheet 7 of upper covering and a sheet 8 of lower covering, each of surface greater than that of the plate. Firstly, the upper covering sheet 7 is brought by elevation of temperature to its softened state, and is applied to the plate 4 with gentle depression through it. The sheet 7 then marries the tool and adheres to the plate 4. The sheet 8 is then fixed to the sheet 7 by a peripheral weld 9 produced by temperature rise or by pulses, this weld 9 being formed outside the edge peripheral of the plate 4. In addition, a weld 10 between the two sheets is produced below the opening 5 of the plate 4.

Such packaging has the advantage that the tool adheres to the plate 4, that the sheet 7 also adheres to the plate 4 and follows the shape of the tool, and that the weld between the two sheets 7 and 8 ensures excellent tamper-evident packaging.

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the packaging of Figures 1 to 3 in which the same elements are designated by the same references as above. This packaging differs from the previous one in that the plate 4 has a peripheral rim 12 forming an angle with the plane of the plate, this rim 12 being held in place by the upper covering sheet 7. For this purpose, and as shown in FIG. FIG. 5, a plate intended for the positioning of several plates 4, comprises, at the level of each plate a peripheral frame 13 ensuring the shaping of the flanges 12 and their holding before positioning of the upper covering sheet 7. The bearing plate the reference 14 includes perforations 15 making it possible to create a depression through the plates 4 during the operation of placing the upper covering sheet on the plates.

Figures 6 and 7 show a device for producing these packages, respectively seen in perspective and seen in longitudinal section. This device comprises a first station 16 where trays 14 intended to receive several plates 4 positioned by pins not shown in the drawing or by frames 13, are loaded with products 3. Each tray 14 is then moved to be brought to a support 17 associated with a lifting cylinder 18. By vertical upward movement, the support 17 brings a plate 14 into contact with an upper covering sheet 7 unwound from a roller 19. Contact between a plate 14 and the sheet 7 is carried out at the level of a heating block 20 bringing the material of the sheet to a malleable state and with care of a vacuum through the support 17. As shown in FIG. 7, the support 17 and the plate which it carries are then moved downwards, the various plates 4 and the products which it supports remaining fixed to the sheet of upper covering 7. When the support 17 has arrived in the low position an ejector jack 22 releases the empty plate towards a discharge device 23.

By displacement of the covering sheet 7, the products and the plates on which they are fixed are brought above the lower covering sheet 8, which is unwound from a roller 24 arranged downstream of the heating block 20. In downstream of the roller 24, a block 25 is arranged, on the one hand welding the sheets 7 and 8 to the periphery of the plates 4, and on the other hand cutting the packaging thus obtained. It should be noted that the scraps of the upper and lower coating sheets are wound on a motorized roller 26, which also ensures the unwinding of the sheets 7,8 of the rollers 19 and 24.

As is apparent from the above, the invention brings a great improvement to the existing technique by providing a packaging of simple design, ensuring excellent protection of the packaged products, and having a very good inviolability, while being obtained using a very economical process and device.

Claims (9)

1. Packaging for packing products, of the type including a tray (4) of cardboard or the like intended to act as a support for one or several products (3) to be packaged, of which the face receiving the product or products receives a coating with a layer (6) of synthetic material, and, a first sheet of synthetic material (7) which is intended to cove the upper face of the tray and the product or products resting thereon, and being fixed thereon under the action of heat and with the application of a pressing force through the tray, this first sheet serving to retain the product or products on the tray, characterised in that the first sheet (7) extends beyond the peripheral edge of the tray and in that it includes a second sheet of synthetic material (8), which, intended to cover the lower face of the tray, is fixed to the first upper covering sheet by a peripheral weld (9) thereon beyond the edge of the thray, this second sheet protecting the area of the connection between the edge of the tray and the first sheet, preventing access to this area.

2. Packaging according to Claim 1, characterised that if it has an opening for hanging it on a hook of a display unit, an opening (5) is formed in the tray (4) before fixing the covering sheets (7,8) and weld (10) is formed between the upper (7) and lower (8) covering sheets on the side of the edge of the opening formed in the tray.

3. Packaging according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the upper (7) and lower (8) covering sheets are made of the same material.

4. Packaging according to Claim 3, characterised in that the material constituting the upper (7) and lower (8) covering sheets is selected to form a connection therebetween by heat welding or by pulse welding.

5. Packaging according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the tray (4), on which the product to be packaged is placed, is flat.

6. Packaging according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the tray (4) on which the product (3) to be packaged is placed, has a peripheral flange (12) obtained by cutting and grooving of the blank from which the tray is cut out, and folding back of the edges to 90°, this flange (12) being covered by the upper covering sheet (7) which ensures that it is kept in shape.

7. A method of producing packaging according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, consisting in placing one or several products (3) on a tray (4), the upper face of which is coated with a layer (6) of synthetic material, in covering the tray (4) with an upper covering sheet (7) of synthetic material having a surface greater than that of the tray, the contact between the sheet and the tray being effected after the sheet has been brought to its softening temperature and by exerting a pressing force through the tray, characterised in that it furthermore consists in covering the tray (4) with a lower covering sheet, and finally in welding the upper and lower covering sheets beyond the peripheral edge of the tray.

8. A method according to Claim 7, characterised in that in the case where the tray (4) has a peripheral flange (12) it is first of all located within a frame (13) ensuring the shaping of the flanges, from which it is removed before welding of the lower covering sheet (8).

9. A device for carrying out the method according to either of Claims 7 and 8, characterised in that it includes, from the front end to the rear end:

- a first station (16) where several trays (4) are located on a single plate (14),

- a second station (20) where each plate (14) is brought into contact with the upper covering sheet (7) and where the fixing of this sheet on the trays (4) resting on the plate takes place and,

- a third station (25) where the upper covering sheet (7) rigid with the trays (4) carrying the products (3) is welded to the lower covering sheet (8) with simultaneous cutting of the two sheets to separate the packages from one another, a horizontal roller (19) being disposed upstream of the second station (20) from which the upper covering sheet (7) is unwound as far as the downstream end of the machine, and a second roller (24) parallel to the first, disposed between the second station (20) and third station (25), from which the lower covering sheet (8) is unwound as far as the downstream end of the machine, the second station being associated with a vertical transfer device (17,18) allowing a plate (16) to be brought into contact with the upper sheet (7) with the formation of a depression through the plate (14), before downwards return and removal of the plate, the trays (4) which have been previously placed on the plate (14) remaining connected to the upper sheet and being brought by this latter above the lower covering sheet, the two sheets being assembled by welding at the level of the third station (25) with simultaneous cutting of the packages, these packages being removed downstream of the third station, in which area the removal of discarded material takes places, for example by winding on a roller (26).

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