EP0874757B1 - Improvement to reinforced cardboard trays - Google Patents

Abstract

A reinforced tray produced by erecting a single suitably cut and scored cardboard blank. The tray includes a bottom wall (2) surrounded by four side walls (3, 4) of which at least one is provided, at its upper edge, with an extension (10) folded down to form a lining and reinforcing element over at least part of the height of said wall. The lining extension (10) comprises a projecting portion (32) intermediate the side ends thereof for use as a stacking reinforcement and/or supporting member. Said projecting portion consists of a flap cut out of said extension (10) and connected thereto along a fold line (21). The flap is provided with inner parallel fold lines that divide it into at least three sections enabling it to be erected and held in shape by securing one of said sections (27) to the side wall (4) that includes said lining extension (10).

Description

The present invention relates to the field of packaging. She relates more particularly to the cardboard or material trays same type, consisting of a bottom bordered by four side walls and which are provided with reinforcing means to increase their resistance and / or support means to allow and stabilize the stack in view of stacking.

There are many different types of trays suitable for ensure the packaging of very diverse products, such as fruits and vegetables especially.

For example, we know the document US-A-3,580,475 which describes a cardboard packaging tray, the end walls of which are lined by an internal reinforcement flap. This flap comprises a cut-out flap which is set in volume to form a support member for an identical plate directly superimposed. This support member extends inside the packaging volume and the end walls are slightly flared to allow stacking. The cut shutter is divided into two sections. The first section extends substantially parallel to the bottom to form the seat surface of the upper plate. The second section serves as a bracing element; its lower end comes to bear on a cutting line arranged in the side flaps which extend the large longitudinal walls.
This type of tray is structured in a very specific way to allow it to be assembled manually, without requiring additional tools or assembly means. In addition, given its design, it is the cantilever support member which supports the entire load of the upper plates; resistance to stacking is therefore not very important.

The object of the present invention is to obtain a tray having a highest vertical resistance possible, while limiting cost matter.

The present invention provides a new type of tray which presents a good compromise between these two requirements and which, moreover, has the ability to be automatically volume-capable, by appropriate mechanical means.

This tray is of the type obtained by volume of a single blank of suitably cut and creased cardboard. It includes a background horizontal from which four walls are drawn perpendicularly vertical side; at least one of these side walls is provided, at level of its upper border, an extension which is folded down to form a lining and reinforcement element on at least part of his height. According to the invention, this doubling extension comprises, between its lateral ends, at least one projecting element in the form of a vertical post serving as a reinforcement and / or support member for stacking; this protruding element is formed from a flap which is cut in the doubling extension and which adjoins this last by a vertical fold line. The cut shutter is provided with at least two vertical internal fold lines which divide it into at least three sections to allow its volume and its holding by securing of one of said sections with the side wall which carries the dubbing extension.

According to another preferred arrangement, the tray comprises two side walls facing each other provided with lining extensions; these doubling extensions are folded down internally and they are provided, each of at least one reinforcement and / or support element for the stacking, which protrudes into the interior volume of conditioning.

Preferably, the doubling extension (s) extend over the entire height of the receiving side walls.

According to another characteristic, the doubling extensions have side extensions that come in at least two parts separated by fold lines and intended to form sides cut in the corners of the tray.

According to a preferred embodiment, the element or elements in protrusion are in the form of vertical posts which extend over the entire height of the adjoining side wall. The base of the post (s) vertical can advantageously include a bias cut, forming truncation, in particular to increase the volume of conditioning.

According to a preferred characteristic, the pole (s) of reinforcement and / or support for stacking have a section transverse triangular.

According to another characteristic, the plate has tenons and / or stacking angles which extend from its edge upper, associated with corresponding openings, arranged in the bottom and in the side walls. At least one of these tenons of stacking is advantageously cut in the folding bridge which connects the side wall and its lining extension; the width of the doubling bridge can be adapted according to the desired height of the stacking lugs.

According to another feature of the invention, the bottom of the tray has complementary cut-outs facing each other, which extend perpendicular to the fold lines which connect said bottom and the side walls, facing the vertical posts, to allow the engagement of one of the wings of the stacking means of another tray placed below, during stacking.

Still according to the invention, the tray includes means for stacking which are arranged on either side of said post or posts, each post being centered between two stacking means and possibly arranged opposite an additional stacking post.

According to another characteristic, stacking angles associated with embedding orifices are arranged at the level of each corner of the tray. The side walls of the tray include also at least one stacking lug and one mounting hole regularly distributed between said end angles, a post reinforcement and support for stacking being provided opposite each pair of studs and holes.

The invention also relates to the cardboard blank suitably cut and grooved, allowing to obtain a plate model defined above.

It also relates to a stacking combination of a large tray conforming to the above model, with at least two small trays. These small trays consist of a bottom, two large side walls whose length corresponds substantially to the length small end walls of the large plateau, and two small walls lateral whose length is a submultiple of the length of large longitudinal walls of the large plateau. These small trays are also fitted with lugs and / or stacking angles which are suitable for tenons and / or angles of the large plate.

• la figure 1 est une vue d'un flan de carton, à plat, permettant l'obtention d'un plateau conforme à la présente invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective du plateau obtenu par mise en volume du flan de carton représenté sur la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'un plateau similaire à celui illustré sur la figure 2, muni de tenons et de cornières de gerbage ;
• les figures 4, 5 et 6 montrent, en perspective, une combinaison de gerbage obtenue avec des grands plateaux conformes à l'invention et des petits plateaux.

However, the invention will be further illustrated, without being in any way limited, by the following description of various embodiments given by way of examples and represented in the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a view of a cardboard blank, flat, for obtaining a tray according to the present invention;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tray obtained by volume of the cardboard blank shown in Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tray similar to that illustrated in Figure 2, provided with pins and stacking angles;
• Figures 4, 5 and 6 show, in perspective, a stacking combination obtained with large trays according to the invention and small trays.

The cardboard blank 1 which is shown in Figure 1 has a base element 2 of generally rectangular shape, bordered by two small end side walls 3 and by two side walls longitudinal 4. The small end walls 3 are connected to the bottom 2 by the fold lines 5. The longitudinal walls 4 are connected at the bottom 2 via the fold lines 6.

The small end walls 3 and the longitudinal walls 4 have a substantially identical height.

The longitudinal walls 4 are provided with lateral flaps 8 connected by a fold line 9. Their outer border has a end extension 10 connected by a folding bridge 11 made up of two parallel fold lines. The end extension 10 extends along practically the entire length of the longitudinal walls 4. On the sides, it has lateral extensions 14 connected by lines folding bars 15 which extend perpendicular to the folding bridges 11. The lateral extensions 14 consist of a first flap 16 and of a second flap 17 separated by a fold line 18. This fold line 18 extends parallel to the fold line 15 which connects the end extension 10 and lateral extension 14. The first flaps 16 of the lateral extensions 14 are arranged in the extension of the fold lines 9 which connect the longitudinal walls 4 and their flaps side 8. Thus, the fold lines 15 and 18 are located on the side and other of said fold lines 9.

Between the two fold lines 15, the end extension 10 has a substantially centered flap 20. Part 20 is partially cut over the entire height of the extension 10 to which it is connected only by the fold line 21. The cutting of the flap 20 forms an L consisting of a first cutting line 22 located on the folding bridge 11 and a second section line 23, perpendicular, which extends over all the height of the extension 10. The second cutting line 23 extends to from one of the ends of the first cutting line 22; she is parallel to the fold lines 15 which connect the extension 10 to the lateral extensions 14, as well as to the fold line 21 which connects the flap 20 to the end extension 10. This fold line 21 extends from the other end of the first cutting line 22.

On the other hand, the flap 20 is divided into three sections 25, 26 and 27, separated by internal fold lines 28 and 29 which extend parallel to the fold line 21 and the second cut line 23.

The first section 25 is located between the fold lines 21 and 28; the second section 26 is located between the fold lines 28 and 29; the third section 27 is located between the fold line 29 and the second cutting line 23.

In addition, we note the presence of a triangular cutout 30 on the two sections 25 and 26 of the flap 20. The base of this cut triangular 30 is located on the outer border of the extension end 10. This cut 30 extends from the fold lines 21 and 29; its point is located on the fold line 28 and its height corresponds substantially two-thirds the height of the end extension 10.

The blank 1 is preferably made of corrugated cardboard. The end extensions 10 are intended to form elements of lining to reinforce the longitudinal walls 4 and the flaps 20 are adapted to form projecting elements in the interior volume of packaging to serve as a reinforcing member and possibly support for stacking, after setting in volume.

The cardboard blank 1 is placed manually or in volume mechanized, to obtain the plate illustrated in FIG. 2.

This volume is achieved by placing the side walls 3 and 4 perpendicular to the bottom 2 and by joining the flaps 8 which extend the longitudinal walls 4, with the small end walls 3.

Preferably, the outer face of the flaps 8 is secured to the inside of the small walls 3.

Simultaneously, or later, the end extensions 10 are folded inwards and they are secured to the internal face longitudinal walls 4 to double the latter. This joining is carried out between the fold lines 15 and 21, on the one hand, and between the fold line 15 and the cut line 23, on the other hand.

The lateral extensions 14 are placed at the corners of the tray ; they are arranged to form dihedral angles or cut sides, with the first flap 16 arranged at an angle and the second flap 17 plated and secured to the inner face of the flap 8 or to the face internal end wall 3.

The central flap 20 is itself set in volume to form a vertical post 32 with triangular cross section. Poles vertical 32 are produced by the juxtaposition of the two sections 25 and 26 shutters 20 arranged in dihedrons. The third section 27 serves as a leg securing to maintain the volume of the projecting elements 32; he is secured to the longitudinal wall 4, either through its internal face, as shown in FIG. 2, either by through its external face, if it is folded back to form the bottom of the post 32.

The fastening of the flaps 8 with the walls 3, extensions 10 with the walls 4, flaps 17 with the walls 3 and sections 27 with the walls 4 is produced by gluing, stapling or other ...
The volume of the two sections 25 and 26 of the flaps 20 generates a small spacing 33 between the two parts of the end extensions 10 which are separated by the cutting line 23.

The vertical posts 32 extend over the entire height of the walls longitudinal 4; associated with the doubling extensions 10, they form effective reinforcing elements to provide good resistance vertical to the tray. On the other hand, these vertical posts 32 extend in protrusion inside the packaging volume and their surface upper forms an effective seat member to support a second stacked tray. This seat is further improved by the presence flaps 16 arranged at an angle in the corners of the plate.

The blank 30 made in the flaps 20 of the cardboard blank 1 allows obtaining a truncation 34 at the base of the posts 32. This truncation 34 frees up a little space for increase the volume of packaging; it can also serve as wedging wedge for packaged products.

To increase the vertical resistance of the tray, the cardboard blank corrugated will be properly oriented so that its grooves are arranged vertically on the longitudinal walls 4, on the doubling extensions 10 and on vertical posts 32.

On the cardboard blank shown in Figure 1, we notice that the two flaps 20 cut in the lining extensions 10 are oriented in reverse of each other. This particular orientation allows to obtain a kind of diagonal symmetry which avoids unbalancing the tray. For some embodiments, they can be oriented in the same way.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lining elements 10 extend over the entire height of the longitudinal walls 4 and they include cut out flaps 20 which allow vertical posts 32 to be obtained. These posts 32 extend over the entire height of said longitudinal walls 4.
For other embodiments, the location, the number and the shape of the vertical posts may vary without departing from the protective framework defined by the claims. Thus, one can provide a vertical post on each longitudinal wall, these two posts being off-center with respect to each other. Also, several posts may be fitted on each longitudinal wall, produced from a plurality of identical or similar flaps 20 cut along the length of the lining extensions 10. On the other hand, the lining extensions 10 and / or the posts adjoining verticals 32 may extend only over part of the height of the longitudinal walls 4.

There is shown in Figure 3 a tray set in volume which has a structure similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2.

This tray consists of a bottom 2 bordered by four walls lateral: two small end walls 3 and two large walls longitudinal 4. The two large longitudinal walls 4 have extensions 10 which, when folded down, define elements of dubbing. These extensions 10 include lateral extensions 14 arranged to form cut sides in the corners of the tray; they also have partially cut out flaps which allow obtaining vertical posts 32.

This tray also comprises stacking lugs 35 which protrude from the top edge of the walls longitudinal 4. These tenons 35 are associated with orifices 36 built in correspondence in the bottom 2 and in said longitudinal walls 4. The stacking lugs 35 are cut out in the folding bridge 11 which connects the longitudinal walls 4 and their dubbing extensions 10; their height is closely related to the thickness of this folding bridge 11.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the pins 35 are two in number, fitted at the level of the vertical posts 32. They could similarly be provided, in addition or in replacement, between the posts 32 and the ends of the plate.

Still in FIG. 3, corner angles 38 are provided associated with orifices 39 arranged in correspondence in the corners. These angles 38 and orifices 39 complete the stabilization of the plates when they are stacked. The height of the angles 38 corresponds to the thickness of the folding bridge 11. Optionally, one of the wings of the angle angles can be omitted.
At the level of the embedding orifices 36, we note the presence of a cutout 37 arranged perpendicularly in the bottom 2. This cutout 37 allows the angle angles of the underlying plates to be embedded.

The plates of Figures 2 and 3 or neighboring embodiments according to the invention can be combined during stacking, either between them, either with smaller trays arranged transversely, or with packaging of different types and constitution. The structure and the dimensions of the associated trays are then a function of the type of large tray used.

A combination of this type is shown in Figure 4 with large trays conforming to that illustrated in FIG. 3, and small ones trays 40 arranged transversely.

The large trays have a width which corresponds to the length small trays 40 and a length twice that of the width said small trays.

For this embodiment, the small plates 40 are made up a bottom 41, two large side walls 42 and two small end walls 43. Their angles include stacking angles 44 in the upper part and mounting holes 45 in the part lower. The small end walls 43 are advantageously lined with attached plates 46 whose ends are made up of two flaps separated by fold lines. The first flap 47 forms a cutaway in the corner of the plate and the second flap 48 is secured to the large longitudinal walls 42. Note that for certain simplified embodiments, these added plates 46 may be deleted.

The angles 44 and the orifices 45 of the small plates 40 are identical to the angles 38 and the fitting holes 39 arranged at the corners of large plateaus.

It is understood that the small plates 40 can be juxtaposed to be combined by stacking on or under large trays.

At the ends of the large plates, the angles 38 and orifices 39 cooperate with the angles 44 and the orifices 45 of the small trays 40. The cut sides 16 and 47 serve as a seat at this level, depending on the case.

In the central part, the small plates 40 which are arranged on the large plate, come to rest on one of the panels 25, 26 of the post 32 and the mounting holes 45 cooperate with a part (the half) of the stacking post 35. The panels 25, 26 of the vertical post 32 are arranged at an angle; they fulfill a support function similar to that of cut sides 16.

Still in the central part, in the case where the small plates 40 are arranged under the large plate, one of the wings of the angles 44 cooperates with a part of the embedding orifice 36, and the other wing of said angles 44 engages in the cutouts 37 arranged in the bottom 5 of the large tray. The bottom 5 thus rests on the cutaway 47 which forms a diagonal seat.
The width of the cutouts 37 is slightly greater than twice the thickness of the cardboard used to allow the juxtaposition of two small trays 40.

Of course, on the same stack, the combination of large trays and small trays can be made at will. As we have shown in Figure 4, the large trays can also be combined together and offset by half a length. So the cutouts 37 arranged in the bottom 5 can receive the wings of the angles of small trays 40 and / or large trays.

According to the same principle, a large tray can be structured to be combined with more than two small trays. The number of studs 35 / orifices 36 and their distribution between the angles 38 will be adapted in consequence, just like the number of vertical posts 32. The length of the small walls of the small plates will correspond to a submultiple of the length of the large longitudinal walls 4 of the large tray.

A similar stacking combination has been shown in FIG. 5 with a large tray having the same structure as that shown in FIG. 3 but without the cutouts 37.
Given the absence of these cutouts 37 in the bottom 5 of the large plate, the small associated plates 50 do not include the angle angles 44 as they were provided in the previous embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4.
Compared to the small plates 40 described above, the wings of the stacking angles which were located in the extension of the large longitudinal walls have been eliminated. The corresponding small trays 50 therefore consist of a bottom 51, two large longitudinal walls 52 and two small end walls 53. The small walls 53 have stacking lugs 54 at the ends of their upper edge. These pins 54 are associated with angular orifices 55 intended to cooperate with the angles 38 and the pins 35 of the large plate. The pins 54 have a length corresponding to half that of the pins 35 of the large plate; they are adapted to be inserted in the corner holes 39 and in the embedding holes 36, over half the length of the latter.

For the rest, the lining of the small end walls and the angular parts defining the stacking bases correspond to arrangements illustrated in connection with Figure 4. The combinations of stacking and the possibility of modifying structures to allow the association of a large tray with more than two small trays are also identical to those defined above.

In Figure 6, there is shown a stacking combination similar. The large plate 56 is provided with two tenons 57 and orifices 58 on each long side 4, distributed between the ends and the central post 32. The small trays 60 have a bottom 61, two large walls longitudinal 62 and two small end walls 63. Small walls 63 have a central stacking pin 64 associated with an orifice 65. Along the small walls 63, we notice the presence of sidewalks 66 forming a substantial seating surface.

Again, the large longitudinal walls 62 of the small plates 60 have a length which corresponds to that of the small end walls 3 of the large plate 56. On the other hand, the small end walls 63 of the small trays 60 have a length which corresponds to half the length of the large longitudinal walls 4 of the large plate 56. Thus, two small trays 60 can be juxtaposed and arranged transversely on or under the large plate 56. The stack is stabilized by insertion of the pins 64 of the small plates 60 into the openings 58 of large shelves 56 and / or by inserting tenons 57 of the large trays 56 in the recessed openings 65 of the small trays 60.

The seat of the small trays on the large tray is improved by the presence of vertical posts 32 and cut sides 16; the seat of large trays 56 on small trays 60 is optimized by the presence of longitudinal sidewalks 66.

A combination of large and small trays can be achieved at will; in this embodiment, also, the structure can be designed to receive more than two small trays juxtaposed. In this case, several vertical posts 32 will be fitted along the length of the large longitudinal walls 4, and of the studs 57 and stacking orifices 58 will be centered between each post 32 and between the end posts and angles of packaging.

This embodiment also allows the combination of large plates 56 between them, by a corresponding longitudinal offset at half their length, or corresponding to a sub-multiple of their length according to the number of studs 57 provided in the extension of the large longitudinal walls.

Claims (14)

1. A reinforced tray obtained by shaping a single cardboard blank, suitably cut and grooved, whereby the said tray comprises a horizontal bottom (2) surrounded by four vertical lateral walls (3, 4) extending perpendicular by to the said bottom (2), whereas at least one of the said vertical walls (3, 4) is provided, at its upper rim, with an inward-folded extension (10), interconnected with the internal face of the said wall (3, 4) in order to make a lining and reinforcement element over at least a portion of its height, characterised in that the lining extension (10) comprises at least one protruding element in the form of a vertical post (32) used as a reinforcement and/or supporting member for stacking purposes, whereby the said protruding element (32) is formed of a flap (20) cut out of the said extension (10) and adjacent the said extension along a vertical folding line (21), whereas the said flap (20) is provided with at least two vertical internal folding lines (28, 29) that divide the said flap into at least three juxtaposed sections (25, 26, 27) to enable its shaping and its construction by interconnecting the end section (27) with the internal face of the lateral wall (4) that carries the said lining extension (10).
2. A reinforced tray according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises two opposite lateral walls (4) provided with lining extensions (10) that are folded inward and that are each provided, between their lateral extremities, with at least one reinforcement and/or supporting member (32) for stacking purposes, that extends and protrudes into the internal packaging volume.
3. A reinforced tray according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that it comprises lining extensions (10) extending over the whole height of the lateral reception walls (4).
4. A reinforced tray according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that it comprises lining extensions (10) that are provided with lateral extensions (14) in at least two sections (16, 17) intended for constituting panels cut into the angles.
5. A reinforced tray according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises at least one protruding element in the form of a vertical post (32) extending over the whole height of the adjacent lateral wall (4).
6. A reinforced tray according to claim 5, characterised in that it comprises at least one protruding element in the form of a vertical post (32), with a truncated section (34) in its lower part.
7. A reinforced tray according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterised in that it comprises at least one protruding element (32) in the form of a post whose cross section is triangular.
8. A reinforced tray according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that it comprises stacking lugs (35, 57) and/or stacking corners (38), and corresponding extending from the upper rim thereof apertures (36, 39, 58) arranged in the bottom (2) and in the lateral walls (3, 4).
9. A reinforced tray according to claim 8, characterised in that it comprises opposite cut-outs (37) provided in its bottom (2), whereas the said cut-outs extend perpendicularly to the folding lines that connect the said bottom (2) to the lateral walls (4), opposite the posts (32), to enable one of the wings of the stacking means of another package located below, to engage during the stacking operation.
10. A reinforced tray according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterised in that it comprises stacking lugs (57) that are provided on either side of the said post(s) (32), whereas each post is centred between two stacking means and possibly opposite an additional stacking lug (35).
11. A reinforced tray according to claim 10, characterised in that it comprises stacking corners (38) associated with nesting orifices (39), at each of its angles, and in that the lateral walls (4) comprise at least one stacking lug (35) and one nesting orifice (36) spaced regularly between the said end corners, whereas a reinforcement and supporting post (32) for stacking purposes is provided opposite each pair of lugs and orifices (35, 36).
12. A cardboard blank, cut and grooved for obtaining a tray according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
13. A cardboard blank according to claim 12, characterised in that it comprises a bottom element (2) surrounded by four lateral walls (3, 4). connected by folding lines (5, 6), whereas two of the said opposite walls (4) are provided with two lateral flaps (8) and with an end extension (10) that is intended for making up a lining element and that is connected via a folding bridge (11) parallel to the folding line (6) that connects the bottom (2) to the said lateral wall (4), whereby the said end extension (10) comprises lateral extensions (14) connected by folding lines (15) and adapted to constitute panels cut into the angles, and whereas the said end extension (10) also comprises between the said folding lines (15), at least one flap (20) partially cut along a first cutting line (22) on the said folding bridge (11), and along a second cutting line (23) extending from one of the extremities of the first cutting line (22), perpendicularly to the said line and parallel to the folding lines (15) that connect the said lining extensions (10) to the lateral extensions (14), whereby the said flap (20) is connected to the said lining extension (10) by a folding line (21) that is parallel to the second cutting line (23) and that extends from the other end of the said first cutting line (22), whereas the said flap (20) comprises moreover two internal folding lines (28, 29), parallel, adapted to make up three juxtaposed sections (25, 26 and 27).
14. A combination for stacking a large tray according to any one of claims 1 to 11, with at least two smaller trays (40, 50, 60), whereas the said smaller trays consist of a bottom (41, 51, 61), of two larger lateral walls (42, 52, 62) whose length corresponds substantially to the length of the smaller end walls (3) of the larger tray, and of two smaller lateral walls (43, 53, 63) whose length is a sub-multiple of the length of the larger longitudinal walls (4) of the larger tray, whereby the said smaller trays (40, 50, 60) are provided, moreover, with stacking lugs and/or stacking corners adapted to the lugs and/or corners of the larger tray.

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