EP0720955A1 - Packaging and display container, in particular for bicycles - Google Patents

Abstract

The system consists of a rectangular parallelepiped case with side walls (12, 20) of cardboard, a base, and box-section ends (22, 24) with vertical slots (48) in them to hold the articles in a vertical position and in a plane parallel to the side walls of the case. Each of the slots has a pair of lips (50,5 2) which are bent inwards from their edges to retain the inserted portions of the packaged articles, e.g. bicycle wheels. The case's walls and ends are covered by a removable lid. The case can be supplied in kit form, with components joined by metal fastenings (34). Its base can be in the form of a pallet.

Description

The invention relates to a packaging device for elongated products, in particular bicycles, comprising an envelope in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped.

For transport and storage, it is known to group several disassembled or partially disassembled products in the same package, which generally consists of a cardboard box. Product protection is obtained by providing for the compulsory installation inside the box of auxiliary shims inserted between the products. After removing the protective packaging, the protective shims are discarded, and the box can be reused as packaging if it is made of folding cardboard. The limited mechanical resistance of such boxes does not lend itself to stacking during transport or storage, or for the use of display shelves in sales areas.

The document FR-A-2539390 relates to a straight parallelepipedic packaging, of modifiable length and with reusable elements. The packaging structure includes a rectangular sheet of cardboard, folded at right angles to form a bottom and two large opposite side walls. Plastic flanges constitute the small end walls, each having a groove for receiving the edge of the sheet.

A first object of the invention consists in strengthening the mechanical resistance of a packaging device, and in improving the internal setting of the products packaged for transport and storage.

A second object of the invention consists in making a packaging device allowing the transport of the products in the assembled position and ready for use.

A third object of the invention consists in making a packaging device easily convertible into a display.

• un premier élément inférieur ayant une paire de pans latéraux constituant les grandes parois parallèles opposées,
• une paire de premier et deuxième caissons de calage s'étendant entre les deux pans latéraux selon une direction transversale pour former les petites parois parallèles opposées de l'enveloppe, chaque caisson creux étant équipé de moyens de positionnement comportant au moins une fente verticale pour maintenir les produits en position verticale dans un plan sensiblement parallèle aux pans,
• un deuxième élément supérieur agencé en couvercle de fermeture destiné à être emboîté sur la partie supérieure des caissons ,
• et des moyens de verrouillage pour l'assemblage élémentaire des premier et deuxième éléments aux caissons .

The packaging device according to the invention is characterized in that the envelope comprises:

• a first lower element having a pair of side panels constituting the large opposite parallel walls,
• a pair of first and second wedging boxes extending between the two lateral sides in a transverse direction to form the small opposite parallel walls of the envelope, each hollow box being equipped with positioning means comprising at least one vertical slot for holding products in a vertical position in a plane substantially parallel to the sides,
• a second upper element arranged as a closure cover intended to be fitted onto the upper part of the boxes,
• and locking means for the elementary assembly of the first and second elements to the boxes.

According to a preferred embodiment, the positioning means comprise a plurality of vertical slots, staggered at predetermined intervals along the transverse internal face of each box. Each slot is delimited by a pair of retaining lips arranged in a bevel inside the hollow volume of each box, said lips constituting an anti-recoil device after the engagement of the product, in particular of a wheel of the bicycle, in the corresponding slot. This results in optimum internal wedging which prevents any deterioration of the products during transport.

In addition to their setting function, the boxes are shaped according to uprights to reinforce the mechanical strength, so as to allow stacking. The packaging can advantageously be placed on a handling pallet to facilitate storage and transport operations.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the belt is provided with a central panel joined to the tilting lateral panels by horizontal fold lines arranged in hinges.

According to another characteristic of the invention, each side panel of the belt is provided with a pre-cut line intended to remove part of said panel to transform the device into a display unit after removal of the first box.

The packaging device can thus be used for the presentation of products at the point of sale.

The assembly and disassembly operations of the packaging device are carried out without deterioration of the constituent elements of the envelope thanks to the presence of easily accessible locking means. These locking means can be formed by any type of closing or holding accessories.

The material used to make the kit envelope may be any, in particular cardboard, wood, sheet metal or plastic.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective du dispositif d'emballage selon l'invention, représenté en position assemblée prêt pour le transport ou le stockage;
• la figure 2 montre une vue en coupe selon la ligne 2-2 de la figure 1;
• la figure3 est une vue en perspective, partiellement arrachée, de l'enveloppe sans le couvercle;
• la figure 4 est une vue de détail à échelle agrandie de l'un des caissons de la figure 3;
• la figure 5 est une vue identique à la figure 4 d'une variante de réalisation du caisson;
• les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues du couvercle, respectivement en position déployée pour l'expédition avant usage, et en position pliée prêt à l'emboîtement sur l'enveloppe;
• la figure 8 représente une vue en perspective du dispositif d'emballage en cours d'assemblage;
• la figure 9 est une vue en perspective de la ceinture de l'enveloppe;
• la figure 10 illustre une vue en perspective du dispositif d'emballage dans sa fonction de présentoir;
• la figure 11 est une vue analogue à la figure 10 d'une variante de réalisation;
• la figure 12 est une vue éclatée en perspective d'une autre variante de réalisation.

Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the description which follows of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of nonlimiting example, and represented in the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of the packaging device according to the invention, shown in the assembled position ready for transport or storage;
• Figure 2 shows a sectional view along line 2-2 of Figure 1;
• Figure3 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of the envelope without the cover;
• Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view of one of the boxes of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is a view identical to Figure 4 of an alternative embodiment of the box;
• Figures 6 and 7 are views of the cover, respectively in the deployed position for shipment before use, and in the folded position ready for fitting on the envelope;
• FIG. 8 represents a perspective view of the packaging device during assembly;
• Figure 9 is a perspective view of the envelope belt;
• FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the packaging device in its display function;
• Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10 of an alternative embodiment;
• Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of another alternative embodiment.

In FIGS. 1 to 11, the packaging device 10 for bicycles consists of kit elements comprising an envelope 12 in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, the bottom of which rests on a pallet 13 of skeleton type handling. Pallet 13 can be made of any type of material, in particular wood, plastic or metal.

The envelope 12 is made of cardboard, and consists of a belt 14 with three sides 16,18,20 arranged in a U, a pair of wedging boxes 22,24 for keeping the bicycles in vertical position, and a closing cover 26. The belt 14 constitutes a first lower element A joined by the boxes 22, 24 to the cover 26, which forms the second upper element B of the envelope 12.

The central rectangular pan 18 of the belt 14 is fixed on the upper face of the pallet 13, while the other two lateral sides 16, 20 are connected to the central pan 18 by a first and second horizontal fold lines 28, 30 arranged in hinges. Each side panel 16, 20 is equipped with orifices 32 (FIG. 9), for the insertion of locking means 34 (FIGS. 1 and 2). A precut line 36 (FIG. 9) is provided in each section 16, 20 extending in an oblique direction from the second box 24 towards a point 38 intermediate of the corresponding fold line 28, 30 of the belt 14.

The first modular wedging box 22 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) comprises two elementary modules 22a, 22b of hollow rectangular sections, arranged side by side by the small internal faces 40. Ports 32 are formed in the small internal faces 40, as well as in the two small external faces 42 authorizing the installation of the locking means 34 respectively for the assembly of the two modules 22a, 22b of the first box 22, and for that of the box 22 with the two sides 18,20.

The large external lateral face 44 of each module 22a, 22b is also provided with an orifice 32 in the upper part for fixing the cover 26. The large internal face 46 of each module 22a, 22b comprises a plurality of cutouts shaped into slots 48 vertical and parallel staggered at predetermined intervals along the transverse direction of the envelope 12. Each positioning slot 48 is delimited by two retaining lips 50, 52 arranged according to a V with variable opening, and extending inside of the hollow volume of each module 22a, 22b to allow the bevel insertion of the front wheel 54 of a bicycle 56.

The bevelled opening of the V of the two holding lips 50, 52 automatically adapts to the dimension of the tire of the wheel 54 when it engages in the slot 48. After the engagement of the tire in the slot 48, the lips Holding 50.52 constitutes an anti-recoil device.

The structure of the second wedging box 24 with its two modules 24a, 24b is identical to that of the first box 22, and the same reference numbers will be used to designate similar parts. The slots 48 for positioning the second box 24 serve to hold the rear wheel 58 of the bicycle 56.

Figure 6 shows the cutting of a cardboard plate 60 with four fold lines 62 parallel two by two for the formation of the cover 26 (Figure 7). Each of the four flaps 64, 66, 68, 70 is pierced with two orifices 32 intended to come opposite the orifices 32 conjugated with the casing 12 during the fitting of the cover 26. The latter is blocked by the setting up of the locking means 34 in the various orifices 32. Locking members (not shown) can be associated with the locking means 34 to prevent the cover 26 from being dismantled by an unauthorized person. These padlocking devices can be produced by padlocks or sealing wires.

It is also possible to arrange, at the level of the cover 26, an opening control device, formed by way of example by a label stuck directly on the locking means 34.

The various constituent elements of the envelope 12 are made of double-fluted cardboard, having a predetermined color, with or without printing of patterns or inscriptions.

Other materials can be used for the manufacture of the envelope 12, in particular wood and its cut or molded derivatives, plywood, sheet metal or wire mesh, plastic material such as extruded or rigid polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene, and polyurethane.

The format of the boxes 22, 24 and of the belt 14 is adaptable to all the dimensions and to the number of bicycles to be packed. It is also possible to make use of a single slot box for the transport of a single bicycle.

The modular box 22 of FIG. 4 can of course be replaced by a monobloc box 72 illustrated in FIG. 5. The number of vertical slots 48 can be any, and the inside of the box 72 can be provided with an intermediate rib 74 intended to reinforce its mechanical resistance.

The packaging device 10 according to the invention is used in the following manner:

The central pan 18 of the belt 14 is firstly secured to the upper face of the pallet 13, followed by the spacing of the side panels 16,20 generated by a pivoting movement around the fold lines 28,30. The two wedging boxes 22, 24 are then positioned on the opposite ends of the central pan 18. Each bicycle 56 is then introduced into the longitudinal gap between the two boxes 22, 24 to operate the insertion of the front and rear wheels 54, 58 in two slots 48 aligned in the longitudinal direction.

In FIG. 8, the tilting in the direction of the arrows F of the two side panels 16, 20 allows the assembly with the two wedging boxes 22, 24 after installation of the locking means 34 in the orifices 32 of the small faces 42 external. Locking the front and rear wheels 54, 58 in the positioning slots 48 keeps all the bicycles in a vertical position and in offset planes that are substantially parallel.

The assembly of the packaging device 10 continues with the fitting of the cover 26, and upper locking means 34 securing the cover 26 to the belt 14. It is possible to complete the packaging by putting in place the padlocking, and possibly opening control devices.

The two wedging boxes 22, 24 constitute uprights in the form of profiles which reinforce the mechanical strength of the casing 12, allowing stacking operations during the transport and storage of the packaged bicycles.

The opening and closing operations of the envelope 12 are carried out without deterioration of the elements of the packaging device 10 thanks to the presence of the easily accessible locking means 34. All elements are removable, reusable and recyclable.

Before use, the packaging device 10 is shipped to the bicycle manufacturer, taking up minimum space, since the various elements of the casing 12 are grouped flat on the pallet 13.

In addition to its protection, transport and storage function, the packaging device 10 can also serve as a display at the point of sale. It suffices to disassemble the first box 22 to release the front wheels 54 of the bicycles, and to cut each side panel 16, 20 along the oblique pre-cut line 36, and partially of the fold line 28, 30 from the point intermediate 38 and in the direction of the first box 22. A small area 80 (FIG. 10) of the pan remains attached to the second box 24 for the wedging of the bicycles. The removal of the majority of the surface of the side panels allows the bicycles to be seen entirely in the shelf packaging. This results in a stable display despite the partial use of some elements of the envelope 12.

The large internal faces 46 of the modules of the second box 24 may include inscriptions, in particular technical characteristics, commercial and / or advertising information. The display of these inscriptions appears automatically when the envelope 12 is dismantled, which avoids a special marking on the part of the seller. The inscriptions can be made by printing, or by gluing pre-printed labels to the walls of the faces 46.

The cardboard envelope 12 could of course be replaced by a flexible sheet of transparent plastic.

In Figure 11, a second pair of boxes 122,124 is superimposed on the boxes 22,24 of the base level to enlarge the modular casing 12 in the height direction. An intermediate horizontal partition 118 extends parallel to the central panel 18, being inserted between the boxes 24, 124; 22, 122 of each pair to serve as a support plate for the bicycles stored on the upper level.

It is clear that the packaging device 10 and display can be used for any other elongated product to be transported in the mounted position.

The implementation of the locking means 34 can be effected by the insertion of attached retaining parts, but also by stapling, by gluing, or by cooperation of adhesive strips.

With reference to FIG. 12, the first lower element A and the second upper element B of the casing 120 are formed by pieces 114, 126 which are identical in U, arranged facing one another with interposition of the boxes 22 , 24. The reduction in height of the side panels reveals openings in the large side faces of the envelope 120. These openings can be covered by means of a transparent plastic film. The packaging device 100 according to FIG. 12 is transportable without a handling pallet.

According to another variant (not shown), the lateral sides of the parts 114, 126 have larger dimensions, so as to form an overlap zone in the middle zone.

The cutting of the slots 48 in the boxes 22, 24 is arranged to facilitate the insertion of the wheels, while ensuring the anti-recoil function when the bicycle is incorporated in the packaging.

Claims (10)

Packaging device (10, 100) for elongated products, in particular bicycles, comprising an envelope in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped,
characterized in that the envelope (12, 120) comprises: - a first lower element (A) having a pair of lateral flanges (16, 20) constituting the large opposite parallel walls, - a pair of first and second boxes (22,24) for wedging extending between the two sides (16,20) lateral in a transverse direction to form the small opposite parallel walls of the envelope (12), each box ( 22,24) hollow being equipped with positioning means comprising at least one vertical slot (48) for holding the products in vertical position in a plane substantially parallel to the sides (16,20), - a second upper element (B) arranged as a cover (26, 126) for closing intended to be fitted onto the upper part of the boxes (22, 24), - And locking means (34) for the elementary assembly of the first and second elements (A, B) to the boxes (22,24). Packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that each slot (48) is delimited by a pair of retaining lips (50,52) arranged in a bevel inside the hollow volume of each box (22,24) , said lips constituting an anti-recoil device after the engagement of the product, in particular a wheel (54, 58) of the bicycle (56), in the corresponding slot (48). Packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wedging boxes (22, 24) are shaped according to profiled uprights to reinforce the mechanical strength of the envelope (12), so as to allow stacking during transport or storage. Packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first lower element A and the second upper element B comprise each a U-shaped part (114, 126) or belt (14), provided with a central panel (18) joined to the lateral sides (16,20) tilting by horizontal fold lines (28,30) arranged in hinges. Packaging device according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that each lateral flap (16,20) of the belt (14) is provided with a pre-cut line (36) intended to remove part of said flap to transform the device in a display rack after removal of the first box (22). Packaging device according to claim 5, characterized in that the precut line (36) extends in an oblique direction from the second box (24) to an intermediate point (38) of the fold line (28,30 ) corresponding. Packaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that each box (22,24) is formed by a juxtaposition of elementary modules, of hollow rectangular sections, and arranged side by side by their small internal faces 40, the number of modules being a function of the width of the envelope (12), and that each box (22, 24) comprises a plurality of slots (48), staggered vertically at predetermined intervals along the internal face (46) transverse. Packaging device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the locking means (34) are engaged in the orifices (32) combined with the various elements of the envelope (12), and can cooperate at the level of the cover (26), either with padlocking devices, or with opening control devices. Packaging device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the envelope (12) in kit form is made from a flexible sheet of predetermined material, in particular based on cardboard, metal, or plastic, and that the various boxes (22, 122; 24, 124) of the envelope (12) are grouped in the width or height direction to make a modular assembly. Packaging device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the bottom of the envelope (12, 120) can be placed on a handling pallet (13).

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