EP0377375A1 - Package with folding flaps formed from an L-shaped carton strip - Google Patents

Abstract

The package is intended to enclose at least one object A by the folding of panels and flaps which are part of the same strip of cardboard 1 or similar material, this strip being of the type comprising an area 21 to which two flaps 14 and 15 are fixed by lateral margins 18 and 19, these flaps 14 and 15 and their margins 18 and 19 together constituting a single panel 6 exterior to the actual strip 1, folded onto the said strip 1 and fixed to it by the margins 18 and 19 of the flaps 14 and 15. It is characterised in that the single exterior panel 6 is integral with the strip 1 along a fraction of one 2 of its longitudinal edges 2 or 3 and must be folded back on the internal face of the strip 1 along the said fraction of the longitudinal edge in question 2. According to an advantageous embodiment, a transverse edge 8 of the single exterior panel 6 is aligned with the transverse end 5 of the strip 1. <IMAGE>

Description

Containers are known which consist of a strip of cardboard, generally of corrugated cardboard, of rectangular shape and carrying on its so-called "internal" face two flaps arranged face to face, transversely, above a part of the strip, the l the area constitutes a base on which the object or objects to be conditioned are placed.

For this, we lift the flaps which fold from bottom to top in transverse lines to themselves, we place the object (s) on the base, then we fold the previously lifted flaps so that they, by a transverse folding inverse of the first, that is to say from top to bottom, apply to objects, parallel to the base.

Next, the actual strip is folded transversely to itself, that is to say perpendicular to the direction of the initial folding of the flaps, and the object (s) are then wrapped on all sides, the strip being kept folded by various possible means: adhesive, staples, belt with a link, etc. to constitute a finished container.

The flaps are fixed to the base (most often by gluing) by lateral margins, along the longitudinal edges of the strip, so that after folding it, it appears on the two small "faces" of the container , hollows bordered by a "sidewalk" on their four sides and therefore particularly effective for the protection of the wrapped object or objects. Indeed, the small "faces" of the finished container are in fact constituted by the fraction of the flaps located between the inverted folds created respectively during the lifting and during the folding down of said flaps. Now, the width of the margins according to which the flaps are attached to the strip determines the width of the "sidewalk" which transfers the small "face" inwards, the strip having, after folding, lateral edges all aligned with each other and with the outer edge of the margins.

The structure which has just been described is known in itself and is embodied in practice according to more or less perfected variants.

But such a structure should not be analyzed ex nihilo because it can only result, in everyday economic reality, from the implementation of concrete, industrial and practical means.

We cannot therefore consider a structure, whatever it is, counting as negligible the means which will be necessary to obtain it. We can always "imagine" processes, mechanisms, theoretically possible movements, but very often they prove to be poorly adapted, or even unsuitable, to industrial imperatives.

To situate the state of the art, mention may be made of document FR-A-2,563,192 which describes a package made up of a rectangular band, one end of which is secured to an external panel carrying the flaps and which must be folded down transversely then attached to the strip itself.

Such packaging is economical because it comes from a blank which is itself rectangular and, therefore, of a particularly rational geometry owing to the fact that the blanks are cut from plates, themselves coming from strips in coils, so that '' by judiciously choosing the dimensions of the plates and blanks, all material scraps are absolutely eliminated and an economical and rational production is achieved.

However, in practice, it has been found that packaging of this type has manufacturing drawbacks.

Indeed, the strips during manufacture are moved in the machine by means of mechanical drive members such as belts or roller trains. Now, a container of the type targeted by the present invention being obtained from a rectangular strip devoid of any part projecting laterally, the drive members are necessarily placed on the strip itself, that is to say where precisely we must fold down the panel.

To this difficulty is added that which comes from the deposit of glue which cannot be done as usual since the panel to be glued is, of course, plumb with the places where the glue must be deposited. The problem is not insoluble in theory but it is still unsolved and it could only be solved at the cost of mechanical complications incompatible with the search for a very low cost price, essential for containers of the type targeted here. .

The solution to these problems is to modify existing machines.

To avoid such a disadvantage, we adopted a different and simpler manufacturing method because it avoids transforming existing machines: instead of moving the blank longitudinally, we move it transversely to itself, so that its drive by the usual belts is simpler since there is more space and the end panel to be lifted and then folded down is placed laterally with respect to the machine.

We can then use the ramps, rollers and other common mechanical components to lift, fold, fold and press the panel on the adhesive tapes.

However, there are still difficulties since the arrangement of the panel at the end of the strip increases the difference between length and width of the blank before the panel is folded down.

Indeed, the blank is badly maintained because the drive belts obviously cannot be on the panel to be folded down, which must remain free, but neither can they be located at the location of the strip which is to receive this panel. Finally, the belts are laterally offset by a very large distance since the one closest to the panel to be folded is at a distance equal to twice the width thereof.

It follows from these provisions that the blanks are maintained, guided and moved in a rather poor manner and incidents are avoided (jamming, cutting across a blank, slippage, etc.) by operating the machine at reduced speed by compared to its possibilities.

The deposition of the adhesive tapes necessary for fixing the flaps is more complicated because these tapes instead of being longitudinal and parallel to the direction of movement on the machine, are transverse to this movement. However, to form a tape of adhesive parallel to the direction of movement of the blank, a dispensing spout is sufficient and to delay the duration of flow as a function of the speed of movement, while to form a tape of transverse adhesive, you need either a nozzle of the same length as the ribbon to be formed, or a row of nozzles placed transversely against each other and, in any case, limit the flow time to a rapid jet to create the entire ribbon in one only projection, the flow time increasing the width of the ribbon and not its length.

The present invention overcomes the drawbacks mentioned above by reconciling the advantages of a perfectly rectangular blank with the technical requirements of existing machines, all to achieve a container having at least the characteristics and advantages already known, these can even be increased thanks to additional improvements.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a container intended to wrap at least one object by folding panels and shutters forming part of the same strip of cardboard, or similar material, strip of the type comprising an area on which are located two flaps fixed to it by lateral margins, these flaps and their margins together constituting a single panel external to the strip proper, folded over said strip and fixed to it by the margins of the flaps, characterized in that the external panel is integral of the strip along a fraction of one of its longitudinal edges and is folded over the internal face of the strip along the said fraction of the longitudinal edge in question.

According to other characteristics of the invention:
- a transverse edge of the single outer panel is aligned with one of the two transverse ends of the strip;
- The transverse edges of the single exterior panel are distant from the two transverse ends of the strip;
the two flaps are determined by cutting lines of the single external panel which on the one hand have segments which are substantially transverse to the flaps, and therefore substantially longitudinal to the strip, and on the other hand at least one connecting segment from the previous ones, determining edges which belong respectively to each of the two flaps and which are oriented so that by mutual contact they are geometrically incompatible with the relative spacing of the two flaps, at least over part of their length;
- The container comprises a single connecting segment which is rectilinear and oblique;
- The container comprises at least one link segment which has sinuosities;
- the link segment has a sawtooth path;
- the sinuosities have a rounded top and bottom;
the strip being made of corrugated cardboard, the grooves of which are transverse to the strip, and therefore longitudinal to the flaps, sinuosities have a depth at least equal to one and a half times the pitch of the grooves;
- The container comprises two connecting segments defining a tab integral with one of the two components and a complementary housing in the other component;
- the tab has a free end which has a notch;
- The container includes two connecting segments, themselves composed of three angularly offset fractions, this assembly forming two opposite hooks.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a container of the above type, characterized in that it consists in determining by cutting and marking in the same plate at least two blanks intended to constitute two identical containers placed at the head spade and each comprising a rectangular strip and a single side panel, to fold the blanks against each other so that the side panel of each is applied to the strip of the other, to fix said panel to said strip by margins and to separate the two containers to make them independent of each other, each of said containers having a strip and a panel fixed on it and having two lateral margins and two flaps.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective montrant un contenant conforme à l'invention, découpé et marqué de lignes de pliage, avant rabattement du panneau unique extérieur sur la bande proprement dite.
• La figure 2 est une vue schématique en perspective montrant un contenant conforme à l'invention prêt à recevoir des objets à emballer.
• La figure 3 est une vue schématique en perspective illustrant le contenant de la figure 2 en cours d'utilisa­tion pour envelopper un livre.
• La figure 4 est une vue schématique montrant le contenant des figures 1 à 3 enveloppant le livre et cours de finition.
• La figure 5 illustre un mode de réalisation parti­culier d'un contenant du type des figures 1 à 4 et grâce auquel on peut utiliser des machines standards pour sa fabrication, prévoyant l'association de deux flans.
• La figure 6 est une vue schématique montrant le repliement des deux flans l'un sur l'autre et leur collage en vue de constituer deux contenants complets.
• La figure 7 est une vue schématique illustrant l'obtention de deux contenants complets distincts obtenus par dissociation des deux flans.
• Les figures 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-17 et 18-­19 illustrent deux par deux des variantes de réalisation d'un contenant conforme à l'invention comportant des moyens de retenue des volets rabattus sur un objet emballé.
• Les figures 20 et 21 sont des vues schématiques partielles respectivement en plan et en coupe d'une feuille de carton ondulé utilisée pour constituer un contenant conforme à l'invention, ces vues illustrant une caractéris­tique de l'invention pour la découpe des volets.
• Les figures 22 et 23 sont des vues schématiques partielles respectivement en coupe et en plan illustrant les inconvénients d'une découpe aléatoire des volets.
• Les figures 24 et 25 sont des vues schématiques partielles en coupe illustrant les avantages d'une découpe des volets conforme à l'invention.

The invention will be better understood from the detailed description below made with reference to the accompanying drawing. Of course, the description and the drawing are given only by way of an indicative and nonlimiting example.

• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a container according to the invention, cut and marked with fold lines, before folding down the single outer panel on the strip itself.
• Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a container according to the invention ready to receive objects to be packaged.
• Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the container of Figure 2 in use for wrapping a book.
• Figure 4 is a schematic view showing the container of Figures 1 to 3 wrapping the book and finishing course.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a particular embodiment of a container of the type of FIGS. 1 to 4 and by means of which standard machines can be used for its manufacture, providing for the association of two blanks.
• Figure 6 is a schematic view showing the folding of the two blanks one on the other and their bonding to form two complete containers.
• Figure 7 is a schematic view illustrating the obtaining of two separate complete containers obtained by dissociation of the two blanks.
• Figures 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-17 and 18-19 illustrate two by two alternative embodiments of a container according to the invention comprising means for retaining the folded flaps on a wrapped object.
• Figures 20 and 21 are partial schematic views respectively in plan and in section of a sheet of corrugated cardboard used to form a container according to the invention, these views illustrating a characteristic of the invention for cutting the shutters.
• Figures 22 and 23 are partial schematic views respectively in section and in plan illustrating the drawbacks of a random cutting of the flaps.
• Figures 24 and 25 are partial schematic sectional views illustrating the advantages of cutting the flaps according to the invention.

Referring to the drawing, we see a container according to the invention which comprises a strip of cardboard corrugated 1 having two longitudinal sides 2 and 3 and two ends respectively 4 and 5 perpendicular to the sides 2 and 3, so that the strip has a perfectly rectangular outline.

This strip 1 is integral with a single lateral panel 6 determined by two transverse edges 7 and 8, a longitudinal edge 9 and a fold line 10. The two transverse edges 7 and 8 have the same extent which is equal to the width of strip 1, that is to say that the edges 4, 5, 7 and 8 are equal.

The single panel 6 is marked on the one hand with two fold lines 11 and 12 parallel and spaced apart by a distance x , respectively from the edge 9 and the fold line 10 and on the other hand by a median cut line 13 determining two parts 14 and 15.

So that the single panel 6 remains intact, and does not dissociate along the cut line 13, it is interrupted over short distances 16 and 17 called "attachment points".

In the situation of Figure 1, the container according to the invention is absolutely complete since it includes all the parts which are necessary for its use but it is still only virtual because it is necessary that the flaps 14 and 15 are at plumb with the strip 1 and preferably fixed to the latter.

This is obtained by folding the single panel 6 and folding it down along the fold line 10 on the strip 1, as indicated by the arrow F1 in FIG. 1.

The fold lines 11 and 12 determine margins 18 and 19 of width x intended to be fixed to the strip 1, advantageously by gluing. This position is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2.

To clearly illustrate the folding of the single panel 6, a small bead 10 a has been shown on either side of the folding line 10 but in reality, this folding is almost invisible. As we know, corrugated cardboard "double face" is made up of three sheets: two flat outer sheets glued to a corrugated inner sheet. The fold line 10, in this case, cuts the flat sheet of the external face of the strip 1 and the corrugated sheet leaving intact the flat sheet of the internal face of the strip 1. After folding, the slice appears as a whole cut because one discerns with a lot of attention the flat sheet folded on itself. The folding is therefore practically invisible and the bead 10 a does not exist.

With compact cardboard, one could also achieve a virtually invisible face-to-face folding, by creating the folding line 10 by half-cut. On the other hand, one could discern the folding if one created the line 10 by creasing because then one causes a backing up of the cardboard and not a cut.

Thanks to a hole 20 which pierces the panel 6, it is possible to insert a finger between the base 20 and the two flaps 14 and 15 to break the attachment points 16-17 and lift the flaps 14 and 15 which separate along the cutoff line 13 and which straighten out along the fold lines 11 and 12, as indicated by the arrows F2 and F3. This position is shown in solid lines in FIG. 2.

After separation of the flaps 14 and 15 along the cutoff line 13, the flaps each have an edge respectively 14 a and 15 a , transverse to them and therefore longitudinal to the strip 1. The hole 20 gives rise to two notches 20 a and 20 b on edges 14 a and 15 a .

It can be seen that the part of the so-called "internal" face of the strip 1, located between the transverse edge 5 and a virtual line indicated therein in phantom in Figure 1, constitutes a base 21 which is completely covered by the panel 6 when it is folded over it, and which is unmasked according to the surface of the flaps 14 and 15 when these are raised.

As is known per se, the object or objects to be wrapped (here a book A) are placed on the base 21 after the flaps 14 and 15 have been straightened, then these are folded down on the book A by folding them as closely as possible from its upper edges, along lines 22 and 23 which are preferably pre-marked, especially if the container is made of corrugated cardboard, the grooves of which are transverse to the strip 1 and therefore perpendicular to lines 22 and 23, which is the case here (the grooves 24 are visible in the cutaway of Figure 1).

Then, the strip 1 is folded transversely to itself along lines which are easily formed, thanks to the grooves 24, at the edges of the volume formed by the book A and the flaps 14 and 14 folded over it.

In Figure 4, we see the finish of the container and we see that the folding of the strip 1 gives rise to a large face 30 which is the "external" part of the base 21, a small face 31 to the right of the face of the book A adjoining the edge 7, which now has two separate segments (one on each flap 14-15) substantially along a path in Z, a large face 32 on the part of the flaps 14 and 15 folded over the book A, a small face 33 to the right of the face of book A opposite the previous one, which is adjacent to edge 8, which now has two separate segments (one on each flap 14-15) substantially along a Z-shaped path and, finally, a flap 34 applied to the large face 30.

Four of the six faces of a rectangular parallelepiped have thus been formed, the last two faces being set back from the distance x and constituted by the straightened upright part of the flaps 14 and 15. The book A is therefore wrapped on all sides and is particularly well protected thanks to the margins 18 and 19 which place the edges 2 and 3 of the strip 1 in relief to play, if necessary, the role of shock absorbers.

To keep the container closed, as it appears in FIG. 4, various means are well known to those skilled in the art.

Here, we have chosen the example which consists in providing an adhesive on the internal face of the strip 1, along its transverse edge 4.

One can for example use a removable protective tape 25 which, after removal, unmasks an adhesive 26, this assembly of known type being put in place as is known to the skilled person.

When packing book A, for example in the situation in FIG. 3, the protective tape 25 is removed in order to make the adhesive 26 operational. At the end of the wrapping, when the flap 34 is applied to the large face 30, the container is closed almost automatically by gluing said flap 34 to the face 30 over their entire width.

Of course, other means can be used, in particular an adhesive extended at the last moment, not only near the transverse edge 4 but also on the flaps 14 and 15 to immobilize them and avoid any accidental lateral sliding.

In Figure 5, we see how we obtain a container having a blank like that of Figure 1, without creating the slightest fall.

In a rectangular plate of standardized dimensions, two identical blanks 100 and 200 are created placed head to tail. These blanks are created by marking cut lines and fold lines which have the same references as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 but combined with the first hundred or the second hundred depending on whether they belong to blank 100 or blank 200 .

Of course, depending on the relative dimensions of the rectangular plate and the blanks to be created, more than one pair of blanks can be placed since each of these pairs fits into a perfect rectangle. From no more than one plate but a coil, you can even make a continuous or semi-continuous cut.

Between the two blanks 100 and 200 of the same pair, a longitudinal cut 40 and two transverse cuts 41 and 42 are created, creating attachment points 43, 44 and in order to allow the relative holding then the subsequent separation of the two blanks 100. and 200 to obtain two separate containers.

After having been marked as indicated, the cardboard element constituting the pair of blanks 100-200 of FIG. 5 is introduced into a machine of known type having guides and means for driving said element in its longitudinal direction. In FIG. 5, the conventional solution of mobile drive belts 300 and 301 parallel and situated respectively under and on the cardboard element which is thus pinched by them has been mentioned, these being placed approximately in the middle of the width of the blank 200.

The machine is provided with nozzles 302 and 303 situated above the blank 200, directly above the zones which should constitute margins 118-218 and 119-219 (corresponding to margins 18 and 19 of FIGS. 2 and 3). These arrangements are known per se and are associated with an automatically adjusted adhesive dispensing mechanism. The cardboard element being supposed to move in the direction of the arrow F4, the nozzles 302 and 303 first deposit, simultaneously, two tapes of adhesive 219 a and 218 a on the strip 201, where the margins 219 and 218 of the panel 206, then then, simultaneously, two strips of adhesive 118 a and 119 a on the panel 106, where the margins 118 and 119 must be stuck on the strip 101.

It is noted that the deposition of the adhesive occurs in a conventional and simple manner: by delaying the dispensing mechanism, the ribbons deposited being parallel to the direction of movement of the cardboard element.

The belt 300 supports the cardboard element and can extend over the entire length of the machine. The belt 301, on the contrary, passes over a return pulley (not shown) situated just before the place where the blank 100 and the panel 206 are to be applied, by straightening then folding down, on the panel 106 and the blank 200.

This operation is commonplace with existing machines and called "folder gluers", so it will not be described in detail.

Figure 6 shows this operation: in solid line is the part which remains parallel to itself on the machine, that is to say the blank 200, comprising the strip 201 and the panel 106. In dotted line is the blank 100 comprising the strip 101 and the panel 206 in their starting position (the cardboard element is still "flat"). In phantom and in solid lines, two intermediate positions of the blank 100 and of the panel 206 have been represented: they have been raised according to the arrow F5 from their original position and are being folded down according to the arrow F6 against the blank 200 and the panel 106.

In reality, these movements are progressive in the direction of movement and the raised part remains stable thanks to guides (stepped rollers, ramps etc.) and to a longitudinal belt (not shown) which is supported along a helical path on the external face. of the blank 100.

As is known per se, the location of the return pulley of the belt 300, the guides and the helical belt is coordinated. The latter exerts pressure on the blank to be folded down, pressure having a vertical component which contributes to maintaining not only the mobile part 100-206 but even the horizontal part 200-106 when the latter has escaped from the belt 300.

When the parts 100-206 are applied to the parts 200-106, a known pressure mechanism in the ground (not shown) ensures the setting of the adhesive, so that two complete containers have been arranged arranged head to tail, one 100-106 and the other 200-206.

By simple means and within the reach of those skilled in the art, it is sufficient to separate them by breaking the attachment points 43, 44 and 45. It should be noted that the two folded parts having two hinges that are the fold lines 110 and 210, the attachment points 43 are not essential.

This manufacturing method makes it possible to use practically standard machines and since two containers are obtained at the same time, at a given speed, there is a double production and a cost price clearly lowered.

There is a risk of lateral sliding of the flaps 14 and 15. The probability of such an accident is low but not zero because a container according to the invention can be used both for packaging an object of known dimensions , only for packaging different objects, to the dimensions of which it adapts perfectly. This is why this accident can occur due to the fact that the conditions of employment differ. The risks increase when several unfavorable conditions are met: the wrapped object is heavy, thick, slippery and significantly shorter than the distance between the two lines 11 and 12, for example.

With this geometry, the part of the flaps 14 and 15 placed on the objects and applied against them by the folded strip 1 is short while correspondingly the part of the flaps 14 and 15 straightened is long. As the object is shorter than the distance between lines 11 and 12, it can move more or less suddenly during the movements that the container undergoes during its transport and its handling. These transverse movements of the object are facilitated if it is slippery, which may be the case with glossy jacketed books.

Repeated blows on the flaps 14 and 15 can then result in pushing one of these flaps outwards, its free end escaping its pinching between the wrapped object and the folded strip 1. The lateral protection of the object disappears and the latter can escape from the container.

To oppose any movement of the flaps 14-15, one can use the solution which consists not only of pinching, tightening, the flaps against the object packed by the folded strip 1, but of sticking the latter to the flaps.

However, this solution can only be easily used by providing mechanical conditioning, because then the machine can easily deposit an adhesive on the folded flaps, before folding up the strip 1.

On the other hand, when the containers according to the invention are used for manual packaging, it is necessary to avoid the use of adhesive which can spread accidentally when it is liquid, which can contaminate the packaged object if it is improperly deposited. and dosed etc.

This is why, according to the invention, mechanical means are provided on the flaps 14 and 15 so that they are retained in position despite possible constraints urging them towards their disunity.

In FIGS. 8 to 19, different variants of the mechanical means for holding the shutters have been shown and, to simplify the drawing, only the panel 6 has been shown, to the exclusion of the other parts of the container.

It should be remembered that the flaps 14 and 15, when they are flat, before straightening, are edge to edge (with the example of FIGS. 1 to 7, the edges are created by a single and same cut line 13). On the other hand, after packaging of the object A, they can no longer be edge to edge because they are each shortened, in the plane parallel to the base 21, of a length at least equal to the thickness of the object A. In FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that their original length L is subdivided into a height h corresponding to the thickness of the object A and a remaining length l . Their facing edges are therefore more or less separated according to this thickness.

In FIG. 8, it can be seen that the flaps 14 and 15 are differentiated by section lines which include two substantially transverse segments 50 and 51 and an oblique connecting segment 52.

In FIG. 9, it can be seen that after separation of the flaps 14 and 15, straightening of the latter and folding down on the object A, the edges created by the segments 50 and 51 are separated. As for the edges (or edges) created by the connecting segment 52, they are placed one against the other during the folding of the flaps 14 and 15 but given the obliquity of the segment 52, this can only be obtained by a perpendicular spacing (longitudinal to the strip 1 and transverse to the flaps) correlative to the flaps 14 and 15, spacing made possible by the elasticity of the carton and the structure of the container.

Thus, the strip 1 during its transverse folding, applies as close as possible to the longitudinal edges 7 and 8 of the flaps 14 and 15 (transverse to the strip 1) and vigorously opposes their lateral spacing because any force directed laterally ( and therefore transverse to the strip 1) tends to spread the flaps 14 and 15, but by the ramp effect of the oblique edges, this lateral effort is transformed into a longitudinal effort to the strip 1 which the strip 1 folded over easily herself.

It is noted that the effect described occurs all the more clearly as the flaps 14 and 15 are more apart but the phenomenon is continuous and therefore makes it possible to obtain the effect of jamming (or "hanging") for objects. Has different thicknesses.

In FIG. 10, we see another example according to which the flaps 14 and 15 are determined by section lines comprising two segments substantially transverse to the flaps 50 and 51 and by two connecting segments themselves having three fractions respectively 53, 54 and 55, 53 ′, 54 ′ and 55′ creating a central void 56 and two opposite and interpenetrating hooks 57 and 58.

In FIG. 11, it can be seen that after the flaps 14 and 15 have been straightened and then folded down on the object A, the ends of the flaps have moved apart and, therefore, the hooks 57 and 58 have moved together until be in contact with each other and thus oppose any additional spacing of the flaps 14 and 15.

The hooks 57 and 58 giving only one locking position, this variant is only advantageous for an object A whose thickness and length are known and correspond as exactly as possible to the effective cooperation of the hooks 57 and 58 .

It should also be noted that, unlike the variant of FIGS. 8 and 9, the blocking is strictly perpendicular to the lateral force to be combated, without transferring the stresses in a different direction.

In FIG. 12, we see a variant according to which a single connecting segment 59 has a sinuous course and, more precisely, in a sawtooth fashion.

Each flap 14-15 thus has two teeth 60-61 and 60′-61 ′. Before use, the four teeth are engaged.

In FIG. 13, it can be seen that after the flaps 14 and 15 are straightened and then folded down on the object A, only the teeth 61 and 60 ′ are engaged, that is to say that this variant, like that of FIGS. 10 and 11 gives only one locking position and is therefore only advantageous for an object A of known dimensions.

This variant nevertheless has the advantages of that of FIGS. 8 and 9 because the inclination of the edges in contact corresponds to the obliquity of the connecting segment 52, so that here again the lateral forces exerted on the flaps 14 and 15 are transferred to the strip 1: the more intense the force, the more effective the blocking.

In FIG. 14, a variant close to that of FIGS. 12 and 13 has been shown since there is a single connecting segment 62 in sawtooth.

The flap 14 has three saw teeth 63, 64 and 65, the flap 15 also having three 63 ′, 64 ′ and 65 ′.

In FIG. 15, it can be seen that after the flaps 14 and 15 are straightened and then folded down on the object A, there are two adjustment possibilities depending on whether the saw teeth in engagement are two in number or only one per shutter.

The adjustment is not continuous as in the case of FIGS. 8 and 9 but it is also not limited to a single possibility as in the case of FIGS. 10 to 13.

It will be noted that the edges in contact with the saw teeth are no longer oblique but perpendicular to the direction of the lateral forces.

This variant therefore combines the positive blocking of Figures 10 and 11 and a possibility of adjustment.

It is understood that the greater the number of saw teeth, the greater the number of positions of the flaps 14 and 15.

In FIG. 16, a variant is shown according to which a single connecting segment 66 has a sinuous course and no longer in a sawtooth pattern but according to a series of tongues with rounded tops and bottoms.

In FIG. 17, it can be seen that after the flaps 14 and 15 are straightened and then folded down on the object A, the tongues are engaged in greater or lesser number depending on the spacing of the flaps (depending on the value of the residual width l indicated in figure 3).

This variant illustrates the possibility that the invention gives of adapting a container of given dimensions to objects A of different formats according to a gradation all the more fine as the number of tongues is large.

FIG. 18 illustrates another variant of the same type according to which a part of one of the flaps is trapped between two parallel sides of a housing of the other flap, this structure preventing the displacements of the flaps described with reference to FIGS. 8- 9 and 12-13.

We see that the flaps 14 and 15 are determined by cutting lines having three segments substantially transverse to the flaps 67, 68 and 69 offset and joined by two connecting segments with sinuous paths 70 and 71 forming two series of tongues with tops and bottoms rounded. This constitutes a tab 72 integral with the flap 14 and a housing 73 in the flap 15.

In FIG. 19, it can be seen that after the flaps 14 and 15 have been straightened and then folded down on the object A, the tabs of the tab 72 are engaged with the tabs of the housing 73 in greater or lesser number depending on the spacing of the flaps (according to the value of the residual width l indicated in FIG. 3).

To easily release the flaps 14 and 15 when the object A is put in place, the tab 72 has at its end a notch 74 for inserting a finger.

These last two variants show that by multiplying the number of sinuosities of the connecting segment or segments (saw teeth or tongues), the adjustment possibilities are multiplied.

In fact, this remains in the realm of theory because in practice we quickly come up against a limit because below certain dimensions, the sinuosities escape each other and let the shutters slide, which is obviously contrary to goal sought.

This will be clearly understood by referring to FIGS. 20 to 25.

In FIG. 20, we see the sinuous drawing of a connecting segment of the same type as the segment 66 of FIGS. 16-17 and that the segments 70-71 of FIGS. 18-19. For simplicity, it is designated by the sole reference 66.

The cut crosses the corrugated cardboard sheet over its entire thickness and therefore concerns the planar upper sheet 80, the corrugated inner sheet 81 and the planar lower sheet 82 and it is verified here that the axis of the segment 66 is parallel to the axis of the corrugated sheet grooves 81.

If the depth P1 of the tongues and the position of the segment 66 are determined indifferently, for example by retaining, without more precision, that the depth P1 must be "as small as possible" to have great possibilities of adjustment, it is possible to find themselves in the situation of FIGS. 20 and 21: all the vertices S1 of a series of tongues (which coincide by nature with the bottoms of the series of opposite tongues) are at the top s of a groove while all the vertices S2 of the opposite series of tongues (which coincide by nature with the bottoms of the previous series of tongues) are at the bottom f of a groove, which means that the z axis of segment 66 is located at the right of the midpoint p of the groove (Figure 21).

These provisions are bad because the edges facing the tongues of the two series are small and the three sheets 80, 81 and 82 are presented separately on each side. However, they have individually no resistance, no rigidity, which causes the situation in Figures 22 and 23: under a force due to the movement of the packed object A, the flaps 14 and 15 tend to slide one relative to the other and the interpenetrating tongues which are intended to prevent this sliding in fact oppose no resistance to it, the sheets 80 and 82 on the two sides pass one under the other and the sheet 81 being practically "flying" is of no help. There then occurs between the flaps 14 and 15 the slip illustrated in FIG. 23.

On the contrary, it is necessary for the edges facing each other of the tongues of the two series to be fairly wide and, of course, the greater this extent, the larger the tongues and the less possibilities of adjustment.

This is why, if it is desired to have discontinuous but fairly numerous adjustment possibilities, the depth P1 of the tongues must be at least equal to one and a half times the pitch P2 of the grooves of the sheet 81. The pitch P2 is measured indifferently between two consecutive vertices s , between two consecutive bottoms f or between two consecutive midpoints p .

Thus, whatever the position of the segment 66 relative to the grooves of the sheet 81, it is ensured that the edges facing each other of the tongues of the two series will present to each other at least one vertex s or a bottom f , as shown in Figures 24 and 25.

This situation is most favorable for two reasons: longitudinally with respect to the direction of the sliding force, there are at least two lines of force which are the vertices s and / or the bottoms f fixed to the outer sheets 80 and 82 by glue tapes; transversely, the tongues of the two series present one to the other at least a double thickness (in line with the vertices s and the bottoms f ), as can be seen in FIGS. 24 and 25, which is likely to avoid the disadvantages Figures 22 and 23.

Claims (13)

1- Container intended to wrap at least one object (A) by folding panels and shutters forming part of the same strip of cardboard (1), or similar material, strip of the type comprising an area (21) on which are located two flaps (14 and 15) fixed to it by lateral margins (18 and 19), these flaps (14 and 15) and their margins (18 and 19) together constituting a single panel (6) external to the strip (1) proper, folded over said strip (1) and fixed to it by the margins (18 and 19) of the flaps (14 and 15), characterized in that the single outer panel (6) is integral with the strip (1) according to a fraction of one (2) of its longitudinal edges (2 and 3) and must be folded over the internal face of the strip (1) along the said fraction of the longitudinal edge in question (2). 2- Container according to claim 1, characterized in that a transverse edge (8) of the single external panel (6) is aligned with one (5) of the two transverse ends (4 and 5) of the strip (1) . 3- Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the transverse edges (7 and 8) of the single outer panel (6) are distant from the two transverse ends (4 and 5) of the strip (1). 4- Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the two flaps (14 and 15) are determined by cutting lines of the single outer panel (6) which have on the one hand segments (50 and 51, 67, 68 and 69) substantially transverse to the flaps (14 and 15), and therefore substantially longitudinal to the strip (1), and on the other hand at least one segment (52, 53-54-55, 56, 62, 66, 70- 71) connecting the previous ones, (50 and 51, 67, 68 and 69) determining edges which respectively belong to each of the two flaps (14 and 15) and which are oriented so that by mutual contact they are geometrically incompatible with the relative spacing of the two flaps (14 and 15), at least over part of their length. 5- Container according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a single connecting segment (52) which is rectilinear and oblique. 6- Container according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises at least one connecting segment (56, 62, 66, 70-71) which has sinuosities. 7- container according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting segment (56, 62) has a sawtooth path. 8- container according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting segment (66, 70-71) determines tongues which have a rounded top and bottom. 9. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the strip (1) being made of corrugated cardboard the grooves of which are transverse to the strip (1), and therefore longitudinal to the flaps (14 and 15), the sinuosities have a depth ( P1) at least equal to one and a half times the pitch (P2) of the grooves. 10- container according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises two segments (70 and 71) defining a tab (72) integral with one (14) of the two flaps (14 and 15) and a complementary housing (73 ) in the other part (15). 11- container according to claim 10, characterized in that the tab (72) has a free end which has a notch (74). 12- container according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises two connecting segments, themselves composed of three fractions (53-54-55, 53′-54′-55 ′) angularly offset, this assembly forming two opposite hooks (57 and 58). 13- A method of manufacturing a container according to claims 1 to 12 above, characterized in that it consists in determining by cutting and marking in the same plate at least two blanks (100 and 200) intended to constitute two containers identical placed head to tail and each comprising a rectangular strip (101-201) and a single side panel (106-206), to fold the blanks (100 and 200) against each other so that the side panel (106- 206) of each is applied to the strip (101-201) of the other, to fix said panel (106-206) to said strip (101-201) by margins (118-119, 218-219) and to separate the two containers to make them independent of each other, each of said containers having a strip (101-201) and a panel (106-206) fixed on it and having two lateral margins (118-119, 218- 219) as well as two parts (114-115, 214-215).

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