EP0332538A1 - Paper blank forming a partition device for a container, process and apparatus for forming such a device, and partition device formed in that way - Google Patents

Abstract

Blank (1) in one part and made from sheet material for the production of a partition intended to subdivide a container into a plurality of compartments. <??>The invention also concerns a method and a machine for producing such a partition. <??>According to the invention, the blank (1) comprises - two sets (2 and 3) of articulated flaps, which by folding are each capable of forming a part of the compartments of the said partition; and - an intermediate panel (4) connected to the two sets of flaps (2, 3) respectively along a line (6) capable of being broken and along a line (6) capable of serving as a folding line. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a blank of sheet material for the production of a brace intended for the compartmentalization of a container, a method and a device for the production of such a brace, as well as the brace obtained from such a brace. blank.

We know that such braces, consisting of walls crossed in two directions, generally orthogonal, have for example the application of isolating bottles arranged parallel in a package.

Known braces are made either from a plurality of blanks of cardboard (or similar material) provided with slots and assembled to form the walls of said braces, or from a blank in one piece. In the first case, it is necessary to provide at least two different kinds of blanks (one kind for the longitudinal walls, another for the transverse walls), which complicates manufacture and assembly, and, above all, it is necessary to assemble said blanks between them, which is long and expensive. With the blanks in one piece, the drawbacks of the cross pieces in several pieces are avoided, but then we are led to produce bellows, in order to be able to form each cross piece by folding shutters. Examples of such blanks in a single piece are given for example by American patents US-A-3,889,580 and US-A-4,157,156.

The main drawback of these one-piece braces lies in the bellows that are forced to make there, because they are a source of thickness and dimensional instability of the braces because of their elasticity. There is therefore a loss of material and difficulty in handling them automatically to introduce them into packaging. And this, especially as the number of bellows becomes very important as soon as the number of compartments desired for the cross exceeds six.

The present invention overcomes these drawbacks.

To this end, according to the invention, the blank of a single piece made of sheet material for the production of a crosspiece intended to subdivide a container into a plurality of compartments is remarkable in that it comprises:
- two sets of hinged flaps, which, by folding, are each capable of forming a part of the compartments of said spider; and
- An intermediate panel, connected to the two sets of flaps respectively along a line capable of being broken and along a line capable of serving as a fold line.

Thus, to achieve such a spider, we start by forming such a blank, after which, we separate one of said sets of flaps from said intermediate panel, along said line liable to be broken, then we proceed with setting form of said sets of flaps to obtain two sub-sets of compartments, said spider being obtained by joining said sub-sets of compartments against said intermediate panel, on either side thereof.

The basic idea of the present invention resides in that, in order to produce said crosspiece, one starts from a single blank which is cut in half, which may seem paradoxical. Indeed, until now, in the prior art, on the contrary, efforts have been made to maintain the integrity of said blank.

Thanks to the present invention:
- since we start from a blank in one piece, we benefit from the advantages inherent in this fact, namely those related to the manufacture, storage, transport of said blanks, as well as the supply of a automatic forming machine;
- Since the final cross is obtained by joining two subsets of compartments, each of these may have only a sufficiently small number of compartments, so that it is not useful to provide bellows; thus, each of said sub-assemblies of compartments can be obtained by simple folding of flaps;
- The intermediate panel can be used to make one of the walls of the spider, which simplifies the production of said sets of flaps accordingly;
- The blank in one piece can also be used to make two separate braces each corresponding to one of said sub-sets of compartments.

In an advantageous embodiment, the blank of sheet material is symmetrical with respect to an axis and it comprises:
- two sets of identical and opposite flaps, each of which comprises:
. a range delimited by four lines two to two rectangular, two of which are parallel and the other two are perpendicular to said axis of symmetry;
. a first flap connected to said area along one of the two lines parallel to said symmetry, said first flap being provided on the side opposite this last line with two slots, arranged at least approximately in extension of said lines perpendicular to said axis of symmetry; and
. two second flaps, at least approximately in the form of a square, one branch of which is connected to said area along one of said lines perpendicular to said axis of symmetry and the other branch of which is disposed laterally to said first flap;
- And an intermediate panel, connected to each of said sets of flaps along said corresponding line, parallel to said axis of symmetry and opposite to said first flap.

In this case, to obtain the corresponding spider from said blank, one of said sets of flaps is separated from said intermediate panel along the line connecting it to the corresponding pad, then the first and second folds are folded at 90 °. flaps and of said intermediate panel around said corresponding lines of said areas, by introducing the free ends of the lateral branches of said second flaps into the slots of said first corresponding flap, in order to obtain two half-braces joined by said intermediate panel.

It is advantageous that said lines around which a folding takes place is preformed in the usual way. Similarly, it is preferable that at least one of the lines parallel to said axis of symmetry is precut, to facilitate the separation of one of said sets of flaps from said intermediate panel.

As will be seen below, said intermediate panel fills the pantry, in this embodiment, with one of the walls of said spider. Also, it is advantageous that, parallel to said axis of symmetry, the dimensions of said first flaps and of said intermediate panel are at least approximately equal.

When it is desired to obtain compartments which are at least approximately similar and of square section, it is ensured that said range is square, that the of said first flaps parallel to the axis of symmetry is of the order of three times the length of one side of said range and that the length of the lateral branch of said second flaps is of the order of twice that of one side of said beach.

The present invention also relates to a machine for forming a cross-partitioning of a container from the blank of a single piece specified above.

According to the invention, this machine comprises:
- Means for separating one of said sets of flaps from said intermediate panel along said line liable to be broken;
- Means for folding up said intermediate panel with respect to said set of flaps of which it remains integral;
- Means for bringing the separate set of shutters closer to the other shutter assembly, to attach it to the folded intermediate panel; and
- Means for simultaneously conforming the two sets of close flaps.

In an advantageous embodiment, said means for separating one of said sets of flaps from said intermediate panel comprise a pivoting flap and a fixed counter-flap, arranged on either side of said blank, and said pivoting flap constitutes the means for folding said intermediate panel relative to said set of flaps of which it remains integral.

Preferably, the machine comprises means for driving said blank in translation and said separation and folding means act during the movement of said blank.

Advantageously, the means for simultaneously shaping the two sets of flaps after approximation comprise a jack and ramps for folding the flaps of said blank.

The invention further relates to the spider obtained from the blank specified above, or even by the implementation of the method or the machine according to the invention.

• La figure 1 est une vue en plan d'un exemple de réalisation d'un flan pour la réalistion d'un croisillon de comparti­mentage conforme à la présente invention.
• Les figures 2a à 2f illustrent schématiquement la formation dudit croisillon de compartimentage à partir d'un flan conforme à la présente invention.
• La figure 3 est une vue en élévation schématique d'une machine pour le formage des croisillons selon l'invention et l'introduction desdits croisillons dans des emballages.
• La figure 4 est une vue de dessus schématique de la machine de la figure 3.
• La figure 5 est une vue selon la ligne V-V de la figure 4.
• La figure 6 illustre la découpe et le relèvement simultanés du panneau intermédiaire.

The figures of the appended drawing will make it clear how the invention can be implemented. In these figures, identical references designate similar elements.

• Figure 1 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a blank for the realization of a dividing spider according to the present invention.
• FIGS. 2a to 2f schematically illustrate the formation of said compartmentalisation spider from a blank according to the present invention.
• Figure 3 is a schematic elevational view of a machine for forming the braces according to the invention and the introduction of said braces in packaging.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the machine of FIG. 3.
• FIG. 5 is a view along the line VV of FIG. 4.
• Figure 6 illustrates the simultaneous cutting and lifting of the intermediate panel.

The exemplary embodiment of the blank 1, in accordance with the present invention and shown in FIG. 1, is cut from a sheet material, such as for example corrugated cardboard.

It is intended to form a dividing crosspiece for a container, for example a packaging of parallelepiped shape and also made of corrugated cardboard. Thus, the interior of said packaging can be divided, thanks to said spider, into a plurality of compartments, into each of which can be inserted an object, such as a bottle.

This blank 1 is at least approximately symmetrical with respect to an axis X-X. It consists of two sets of identical flaps 2 and 3, connected to each other by an intermediate panel 4. The axis XX is in the middle position for the intermediate panel 4 and said sets of flaps 2 and 3 are opposite one with respect to the other and symmetrically arranged with respect to said axis XX.

The intermediate panel 4 has a shape for example at least approximately rectangular.

Each set of flaps 2 and 3 comprises a range 5 delimited by four lines 6 to 9, two to two rectangular.

The lines 6, parallel to the axis XX, connect each of the sets of flaps 2 and 3 to the intermediate panel 4. Their length l is less than the length L of the intermediate panel 4, parallel to the axis XX. For example, the length l is approximately equal to a third of the length L.

Lines 7, parallel to lines 6, connect each area 5 to first flaps 10, the dimension of which, parallel to the axis XX, is equal to the length L of the intermediate panel. On the side opposite the corresponding line 7, each first flap 10 has two slots 11, perpendicular to the axis XX, which divide said flap in three strips 12 of substantially equal widths. The strips 12 are secured to each other by the rest of the flap 10, on the side of the area 5. Thus, the length l of the lines 7 is approximately equal to the width of the said strips 12 and each line 7 is at the base of the middle strip 12 of each flap 10.

The lines 8 and 9 of each set of flaps 2 and 3, which are mutually parallel and perpendicular to the axis XX, respectively connect the area 5 corresponding to two second flaps 13 and 14. Each of the second flaps 13 and 14 has the at least approximate shape of a square, with a first branch 15, parallel to the axis XX and connected to the corresponding pad 5 by the line 8 or 9, and a second branch 16, perpendicular to the axis XX and arranged laterally compared to the first corresponding component 10. A cutting line 17 separates said second flaps 13 and 14 from said first associated flap 10.

Preferably, the length L1 of the branch 16 of each of said second flaps 13 and 14 is approximately twice the distance l1 separating the lines 6 and 7 from each range 5. This distance l1 is advantageously equal to the length 1 of the ranges 5 parallel to the XY axis, so that each area 5 is square.

To form a dividing crosspiece from the blank 1 shown in FIG. 1, the operation is carried out as shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 2a to 2f.

The blank 1 (see schematic figure 2a in perspective) undergoes a first operation which consists in separating one of the sets of flaps 2 or 3, by cutting along the corresponding line 6. For example, in Figure 2b, it was assumed that the set of flaps 3 was separate from the rest of the blank 1, which then consists of the set of flaps 2 and of the intermediate panel 4. This intermediate panel 4 can then be folded around the line 6 connecting it to the set of flaps 2, so that its plan is orthogonal to that of said set of flaps 2 (see FIG. 2c). After this folding of the intermediate panel 4, the set of shutters 3 can be brought closer to the set of shutters 2, so that said sets of shutters 2 and 3 are adjacent and opposite (see FIG. 2d).

In the thus obtained close position of the flaps, the first flaps 10 are then folded up for each set of flaps 2 and 3 around the corresponding line 7 and the second flaps 13 and 14 around the corresponding lines 8 and 9 (see FIG. 2e) and the free ends of the lateral branches 16 of the second flaps 13, 14 are introduced into the slots 11 of the corresponding first flap 10.

When the folding of the flaps 10, 13 and 14 has brought them so that their plane is orthogonal to that of the corresponding area 5, the dividing crosspiece 18, with twelve compartments 19, is obtained, as shown diagrammatically in the figure 2 F. The partitioning crosspiece 18 can then be introduced into a packaging or container 10, only indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 2f.

The machine according to the invention and shown in Figures 3,4 and 5 comprises a frame 21, very succinctly shown, comprising two horizontal rails 22. A transverse beam 23 is slidably mounted on the rails 22 (in any known and not known shown) to be able to move in translation parallel to itself. On the transverse beam 23 slides a carriage 24. Des gripping means 25 and 26 (vacuum suction cups) are respectively carried by said beam 23 and by said carriage 24. These gripping means 25 and 26 can be raised and lowered by means of jacks 27.

Thus, the blanks 1 can be moved in translation between a storage magazine 28 and a station 29 for forming cross-pieces and for introducing them into cardboard boxes 20, circulating on a conveyor 30.

In line with the storage magazine 28, the gripping means 25 and 26 are lowered so as to be able to take a blank 1 from said magazine, the gripping means 25 supporting the set of flaps 2 and the gripping means 26 supporting the whole flaps 3. After removal, the blank 1 is lifted, then moved in the direction of station 29 (see arrow F).

On the path of the blank 1 is disposed a pivoting flap 31, capable of rotating about an axis 32, parallel to the movement F, as well as a fixed counter-flap 23. The pivoting flap 31 is actuated by a mechanism 34, for be able to rotate from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa (see Figure 6).

During its path, the blank 1 slides on the pivoting flap 31, but passes under the counter-flap 33. Furthermore, the free edge 35 of the flap 31 and that of the counter-flap 33 are located in the vicinity of the line of connection 6 between the intermediate panel 4 and the set of flaps 3, on either side of this line. Thus, when the mechanism 34 is actuated, the flap 31 pivots and the intermediate panel 4 is sheared along said connecting line 6, thanks to the cooperation of the flap 31 and against the flap 33. In this case, the operations respectively illustrated by FIGS. 2b and 2c are produced simultaneously. In addition, they are displayed during the advance of the blank 1 in the direction of station 29.

Thanks to the carriage 24, after separation of the flap 3 and lifting of the intermediate panel 4, the gripping means 26 can be brought closer to the gripping means 25 by the distance d , so that then the blank 1 is brought into the configuration of the figure 2d.

At station 29, a jack 36, the head 37 of which is shaped to bear on the two areas 5 of a blank 1 while letting the intermediate panel 4 stand up, is capable of pushing said side 1 (being in the configuration of FIG. 2d) against abutment rails 37, 38 and 39, respectively intended to fold the flaps 10, 13 and 14. These flaps are then folded up as indicated in FIG. 2a, so that, automatically, the branches 16 penetrate in the slots 11 and that we obtain the cross 18, which is introduced by the cylinder 36 through the rails 37, 38 and 39 in a box 20 located on the conveyor 30 directly above said cylinder 36. The box 20, provided with its cross 18, can then be evacuated.

Claims (12)

1 - Blank (1), in a single piece of sheet material for the production of a spider (18) intended to subdivide a container (20) into a plurality of compartments (19),
characterized in that it comprises:
- Two sets (2 and 3) of hinged flaps, which, by folding, are each capable of forming a part of the compartments (19) of said cross; and
- an intermediate panel (4) connected to the two sets of flaps (2,3) respectively along a line (6) capable of being broken and along a line (6) capable of serving as a fold line . 2 - blank (1) according to claim 1, symmetrical about an axis (XX),
characterized in that it comprises:
- two sets of identical and opposite flaps (2 and 3), each of which comprises:
. a range (5) delimited by four lines (6 to 9) two to two rectangular, two of which (6 and 7) are parallel and the other two (8 and 9) are perpendicular to said axis of symmetry (XX);
. a first flap (10) connected to said area (5) along one (7) of the two lines parallel to said axis of symmetry (XX), said first flap (10) being provided on the side opposite to this last line (7 ) two slots (11), arranged at least approximately in extension of said lines (8 and 9) perpendicular to said axis of symmetry (XX); and
. two second flaps (13,14), at least approximately in the form of a square, a branch (15) of which is connected to said area (5) along one of said lines (8,9) perpendicular to said axis of symmetry ( XX) and the other branch (16) of which is disposed laterally to said first flap (10);
- And an intermediate panel (4), connected to each of said sets of flaps (2,3) along said corresponding line (6), parallel to said axis of symmetry (XX) and opposite to said first flap (10). 3 - blank according to claim 2,
characterized in that at least one of the lines (6) parallel to said axis of symmetry (XX) is precut. 4 - blank according to one of claims 2 or 3,
characterized in that, parallel to said axis of symmetry (XX), the dimensions ( L ) of said first flaps (10) and said intermediate panel (4) are at least approximately equal. 5 - blank according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
characterized in that said area (5) is square and in that the dimensions (L) of said first flaps (10) parallel to the axis of symmetry (XX) is of the order of three times the length of a side of said range, while the length of the lateral branch (16) of said second flaps is of the order of twice that of one side of said range (5). 6 - Method for producing a crosspiece (18) for the compartmentalization of a container (20), from a blank (1) made in one piece from a sheet material,
characterized in that:
- we start by making such a blank comprising:
. two sets (2 and 3) of articulated flaps, which, by folding, are each capable of forming a part of the compartments (19) of said cross; and
. an intermediate panel (4) connected to the two sets of flaps (2,3) respectively along a line (6), capable of being broken, and along a line (6), capable of serving as a line folding;
- After which, one of said sets of flaps (2,3) is separated from said intermediate panel (4) along said line (6) capable of being broken, then one proceeds to the shaping of said sets of flaps to obtain two sub-sets of compartments, said cross-member (18) being obtained by joining said sub-sets of compartments against said intermediate panel, on either side thereof. 7 - Method according to claim 6 for the production of a spider (18) for the compartment of a container (20), from a blank (1) of sheet material symmetrical with respect to an axis (XX) ,
characterized in that:
- we start by making such a blank comprising:
- two sets of identical and opposite flaps (2 and 3), each of which comprises:
. a range (5) delimited by four lines (6 to 9) two to two rectangular, two of which (6 and 7) are parallel and the other two (8 and 9) are perpendicular to said axis of symmetry (XX);
. a first flap (10) connected to said area (5) along one (7) of the two lines parallel to said axis of symmetry (XX), said first flap (10) being provided on the side opposite to this last line (7 ) two slots (11), arranged at least approximately in extension of said lines (8 and 9) perpendicular to said axis of symmetry (XX); and. two second flaps (13,14), at least approximately in the form of a square, a branch (15) of which is connected to said area (5) along one of said lines (8,9) perpendicular to said axis of symmetry ( XX) and the other branch (16) of which is disposed laterally to said first flap (10);
- And an intermediate panel (4), connected to each of said sets of flaps (2,3) along said line (6) corresponding, parallel to said axis of symmetry (XX) and opposite to said first flap (10);
- after which, one of said sets of flaps (2,3) of said intermediate panel (4) is separated along the line (6) connecting it to the corresponding area (5), then the folding is carried out at 90 ° of said first and second flaps and of said intermediate panel around said corresponding lines of said areas (5) by introducing the free ends of the lateral branches (16) of said second flaps (13,14) into the slots (11) of said corresponding first flap (10) , in order to obtain two half-braces joined by said intermediate panel. 8 - machine for forming a spider (18) from the blank (1) in a single piece specified under any one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that it comprises:
- means (31,33) for separating one of said sets of flaps (2,3) from said intermediate panel (4) along said line (6) capable of being broken;
- Means (31) for folding said intermediate panel (14) relative to said set of flaps (2) of which it remains integral;
- Means (24) for bringing the set of separate flaps (3) closer to the other set of flaps (2), to attach it to the folded intermediate panel (4); and
- Means (36,37,38,39) for simultaneously conforming the two sets of flaps (2 and 3) close together. 9 - Machine according to claim 8,
characterized in that said means (31,33) for separating one of said sets of flaps from said intermediate panel comprise a pivoting flap (31) and a fixed counter-flap (33) arranged on either side and in this that said pivoting flap (31) constitutes the means for folding said intermediate panel (4) relative to said set of flaps (2) of which it remains integral. 10 - Machine according to claim 9,
characterized in that it comprises means for driving said blank (1) in translation and in that said separation and folding means (31-33) act during the movement of said blank. 11 - Machine according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the means for simultaneously conforming the two sets of close flaps comprise a jack (36) and ramps (37,38,39) for folding the flaps of said blank . 12 - cross-partitioning of a container, characterized in that it is obtained from the blank specified under any one of claims 1 to 5.

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