EP0972718A1 - Wrap-aroud package, blank and assembly comprising the package wraped around objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The package (3) for grouped articles (2) consists of front (13), rear (14), upper (15) and lower (16) walls. The front wall is higher than the rear one, and the lower wall has an inclined portion (23) and at least one rear aperture (24) close to the rear wall for receiving a packaged article. The lower wall also has retaining members in the form of apertures (22, 26) for at least one article adjacent to the front wall, and supporting flaps (30, 31).

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging for sheath type to wrap a group of at least two objects such as containers, the package including a wall front, rear wall, upper end wall and a bottom end wall connecting the walls front and rear.

The invention applies for example to packaging pots of yogurt or compote of generally convergent shape.

Such packaging generally has a sheath shape of substantially rectangular section, and the packaging fully envelops the corresponding group of pots. Such packaging keeps the pots grouped.

Such packaging is generally made from a cardboard blank previously cut and grooved, then folded and glued. The quantity of cardboard used represents a significant part of the cost of such packaging. The objectives of cost limitation therefore tend to limit the dimensions of this packaging and in particular the height of their walls front and rear.

Furthermore, the front wall of such packaging forms an information carrier intended to be placed in front in store displays, to allow a consumer to identify the brand and type of product packaged in jars wrapped by packaging.

Manufacturers of yogurt or compote require this face before having dimensions, and therefore a height, as large as possible so that the information that she wears be as visible as possible.

This constraint therefore opposes so far limiting the surface area of the blank used and therefore the cost of the packaging.

The invention aims to solve this problem by providing packaging to reconcile these two constraints, i.e. limited cost packaging but offering a front wall of satisfactory dimensions.

To this end, the invention relates to packaging sheath type to wrap a group of at least two objects such as containers, the package comprising a front wall, rear wall, upper end wall and a bottom end wall connecting the walls front and rear, characterized in that the height of the front wall is greater than that of the rear wall, and in that one of the end walls comprises at least one inclined part and at least one rear reception opening an object close to the rear wall.

• les objets étant disposés l'un derrière l'autre, ladite paroi d'extrémité comprend des moyens de coopération avec au moins un objet proche de la paroi avant, ces moyens de coopération étant destinés à être situés à un niveau différent de celui de la ou des ouverture(s) arrière ;
• les moyens de coopération comprennent au moins une ouverture avant de réception d'une partie d'un objet proche de la paroi avant ;
• chaque ouverture avant et/ou arrière est ménagée dans la partie inclinée de ladite paroi d'extrémité ;
• ladite paroi d'extrémité comprend des rabats intérieurs de maintien des objets ;
• les objets comprenant des tronçons convergents, chaque ouverture avant et/ou arrière est destinée à recevoir le tronçon convergent de l'objet correspondant et a un contour de forme adaptée pour retenir ce tronçon convergent ;
• ladite paroi d'extrémité est la paroi d'extrémité inférieure ;
• les moyens de coopération comprennent un support d'objets formé par une partie de la paroi inférieure destinée à être placée horizontalement sous le ou les objets correspondant(s) ;
• les objets comprenant des rebords d'extrémité, des ouvertures de réception et de retenue de ces rebords sont ménagées dans la paroi avant et/ou dans la paroi arrière de l'emballage ;
• la paroi avant est destinée à s'étendre sensiblement sur toute la hauteur du groupe d'objets ;
• la paroi arrière est de hauteur minimale voire nulle.

According to particular embodiments, the packaging may include one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

• the objects being arranged one behind the other, said end wall comprises means of cooperation with at least one object close to the front wall, these cooperation means being intended to be located at a level different from that of the or rear opening (s);
• the cooperation means comprise at least one opening before receiving part of an object close to the front wall;
• each front and / or rear opening is formed in the inclined part of said end wall;
• said end wall includes interior flaps for holding objects;
• objects comprising convergent sections, each front and / or rear opening is intended to receive the convergent section of the corresponding object and has a contour of shape adapted to retain this convergent section;
• said end wall is the bottom end wall;
• the cooperation means comprise an object support formed by a part of the lower wall intended to be placed horizontally under the corresponding object or objects;
• the objects comprising end flanges, openings for receiving and retaining these flanges are formed in the front wall and / or in the rear wall of the packaging;
• the front wall is intended to extend substantially over the entire height of the group of objects;
• the rear wall is of minimum or even zero height.

The invention also relates to an elongated blank for the formation of a package as defined above, characterized in that it comprises successive panels intended to form the front, rear and upper end walls, and lower end of the package, and in that that the panel intended to form the front wall has a length greater than that of the panel intended to form the wall back.

According to a variant, the panel intended to form the inclined part of said end wall has openings receiving objects of shapes adapted to the inclination of this inclined part in the packaging formed.

The invention finally relates to an assembly comprising a group of at least two objects, such as containers, and a packaging as defined above which envelops the group of objects.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un ensemble comprenant des pots de yaourt enveloppés par un emballage selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique de côté de l'ensemble de la figure 1, et
• la figure 3 est une vue en plan d'un flan permettant de réaliser l'emballage de la figure 1.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an assembly comprising yoghurt pots wrapped in a package according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the assembly of FIG. 1, and
• FIG. 3 is a plan view of a blank making it possible to produce the packaging of FIG. 1.

Throughout the description, the terms used and including "top", "bottom", "bottom" and "top" agree for a set of yogurt packaging and jars normally on a horizontal surface, with the bottoms yogurt pots facing down.

Figures 1 and 2 show a set 1 comprising a group of four jars of yogurt or compote 2 and a packaging 3 of the sheath type enveloping the pots 2. For clarity, the pots 2 are shown in line mixed, and two of these pots are not shown completely in figure 1.

The yogurt pots 2 are identical and have each a frustoconical body 4 converging towards the bottom 5 of the pot 2.

Each pot 2 is finished at its end upper 7 by a rim 8 generally covered with a closing cap. The four pots 2 are grouped in two rows of two pots, arranged one in front of the other, namely a front row 10 and a rear row 11.

Package 3 -includes front wall 13 (left in Figures 1 and 2), a rear wall 14, a wall upper 15 and a lower wall 16.

The front wall 13 extends in front of the front row 10, over a height and a width respectively slightly greater than the height and width of the group of pots 2.

The upper wall 15 extends from the upper edge 17 from the front wall 13 to the upper edge 18 from the rear wall 14, passing over all the yogurt pots 2.

The bottom wall 16 extends from the bottom edge 19 from front wall 13 to bottom edge 20 of the rear wall 14.

The front 13 and rear 14 walls extend towards the bottom by slightly converging towards each other.

The rear wall 14 has a height h significantly less than the height H of the front wall 13.

The lower edge 20 of the rear wall 14 is therefore located at a level significantly higher than that of the edge lower 19 of the front wall 13.

The bottom wall 16 comprises, from the edge lower 19 of the front wall 13, a horizontal part 22 located under the bottoms 5 of the pots 2 of the front row 10, then part 23, which is tilted upwards and the back of the packaging 3 and which joins the lower edge 20 of the rear wall 14.

The inclined portion 23 includes two rear openings identical 24 with contours 25 of general elliptical shape. Each opening 24 receives the frustoconical body 4 of a pot 2 in the rear row 11. The shape of the contours 25 is adapted so that they fit around the bodies 4 corresponding retaining them by blocking.

The inclined portion 23 also includes two openings identical front 26 with contours 27 of general shape in an elliptical arc. Each opening 26 receives a rear part 28 of the frustoconical body 4 of a pot 2 of the row before 10.

The shape of the contours 27 is adapted so that these fit around the corresponding bodies 4 by holding back by blocking.

The inclined portion 23 of the bottom wall 16 further includes rectangular front and rear flaps 31 each associated with a front 26 or rear opening 24. Each flap 30 extends substantially vertically from a region of a contour 27 slightly off the hook towards the back. Each flap 31 also extends substantially vertically from a region of a contour 25 slightly unhooked forward.

The two flaps 30 each extend along the body 4 of a pot 2 of row 10 by resting on this body 4.

The two flaps 31 each extend along the body 4 of a pot 2 of row 11 by resting on this body 4.

The horizontal part 22 of the bottom wall 16 includes, at each bottom 5 pots 2 of the row 10, a front extension 32 in disc segment, and a rear extension 33 substantially trapezoidal, so to increase the contact surface between the part 22 with the bottoms 5 of the pots 2 in the front row 10.

The front wall 13 comprises, for each pot 2 of row 10, an opening 34 for receiving a region front of the bottom 5 of the pot 2. This opening 34 is bordered by two triangular tabs 35 for retaining the corresponding bottom 5.

The front wall 13 further comprises, for each pot 2 of row 10, a substantially horizontal opening 36 for receiving and retaining the rim 8 of the corresponding pot 2.

The rear wall 14 similarly comprises two substantially horizontal receiving openings 37 and retaining edges 8 of pots 2 of rear row 11.

The upper wall 15 finally comprises extensions rectangular front 39 and rear 40 to the right of openings 36 and 37 to cover the regions of the edges 8 received in openings 36 and 37.

Two clearances in an arc 41 are provided on the sides of the upper wall 15.

Figure 3 illustrates an elongated cardboard blank 50 or blank, making it possible to manufacture the packaging 3 by folding. In this figure, the fold lines are shown in dotted lines and the cutting lines in strong lines.

This blank 50 successively comprises, articulated the to each other, six substantially rectangular panels 51 to 56.

The panel 52 corresponds to the front wall 13, the panel 53 at the horizontal part 22 of the lower wall 16, the panel 54 at the inclined portion 23 of the bottom wall 16, and the panel 55 at the rear wall 14.

The length of the panel 52 (which corresponds to the height H ) is greater than the length of the panel 55 (which corresponds to the height h ).

The panel 56, of short length, is a flap of bonding of the panel 51 which is intended to be practically covered by the latter forming the upper wall 15.

Two rectilinear slots 57 are formed in the panel 52, near and parallel to a line of discontinuous and transverse folding 58 which connects the panels 51 and 52.

Each slot 57 ends with ends curves joining the fold line 58. A substantially recess rectangular 59 is provided at the edge of the part center of each slot 57, on the side of a fold line discontinuous and transverse 60 which connects the panels 52 and 53.

Each slot 57 is intended to delimit during the folding of the blank 50, on the one hand an extension 39 of the upper wall 15, and, on the other hand, with the recess 59 corresponding, the corresponding opening 36 of the wall before 13.

The panel 52 has two slots 61 in an arc of circle formed near fold line 60 and joining this one. Each slot 61 is extended in its central part by a slot 62 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blank 50. Two oblique slots 63 extend from on either side of each slot 62 towards each end of the corresponding slot 61.

After folding the blank 50, each slot 61 is intended to delimit a front extension 32 of the wall lower 16, the corresponding opening 34 in the wall front 13 and, with the corresponding slots 62 and 63, the corresponding triangular retaining tabs 35 of the front wall 13.

Two pairs of oblong recesses 64 are provided in panel 54 near a discontinuous fold line and transverse 65 which connects the panel 53 to the panel 54.

The recesses 64 of the same pair are, of a hand, interconnected by a straight transverse slot 66 to the longitudinal axis of the blank 50, and are on the other hand each extended by a longitudinal slot 67 with respect to to the axis of the blank 50. For each pair of recesses 64, these recesses 64 and the slots 66 and 67 define a flap rectangular 68, connected by a fold line 69 to the rest of the panel 54, and a trapezoidal flap 70 connected to the panel 53.

For each pair of recesses 64, the recesses 64 are intended to delimit an opening before 26 of the bottom wall 16 of the package 3 formed. Flaps 68 and 70 correspondents, are intended to respectively form the corresponding flap 30 of the bottom wall 16 and the extension rear 33 corresponding to part 22 of the wall 16.

The panel 54 also has two recesses 72 whose outline mainly corresponds to an ellipse. Each recess 72 is extended by two straight slots 73 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blank 50. These slots 73 partially delimit two rectangular flaps 74 connected each by a fold line 75 to the panel 54. Each flap 74 partly extends into the corresponding recess 72.

The recesses 72 are intended to form the openings rear 24 of the bottom wall 16, and the flaps 74 are intended to form the corresponding flaps 31.

The shapes of the recesses 72 and also of the recesses 64 are adapted on the one hand to the inclination that take panel 54 to form part 23 of the wall 16 and on the other hand to the shape of the pots 2.

Two rectilinear slots 76 are formed in the sign 55 near and parallel to a line of discontinuous and transverse folding 77 which connects the panels 55 and 56. These slots 75 are terminated by ends curves joining the fold line 76.

Two recesses 78 in an arc are formed each on one side of the panel 51 and are intended to form the clearances 41 from the upper wall 15 of the packaging 3.

To form the packaging 3 of FIG. 1, one envelops the jars 2 with the blank 50, then we just stick the panel 51 on panel 56. The joining of these two panels 51 and 56 can also be insured from any other known manner.

The packaging 3 thus formed ensures satisfactory retention pots 2, in particular thanks to the conjugated forms bodies 4 pots 2 and contours 25 and 27 openings 24 and 26, thanks to the flaps 30 and 31, thanks to the horizontal part 22 of the bottom wall 16 and its extensions 32 and 33, thanks to the openings 36 and 37 of the front and rear walls 13 and 14 and thanks to the upper wall 15.

It should be noted that the bottom wall 16 cooperates with pots 2 of rear row 11 at a higher level to which it cooperates with pots 2 of the row before 10.

Clearances 41 facilitate entry of packaging 3. According to variants not shown, they may be replaced by other equivalent means such as only orifices.

The front face 13 extends over the entire height and the width of groups of pots 2 and therefore has a surface maximum available to support information.

However, the asymmetrical shape of the profile the packaging 3, with the rear wall 14 of low height and the presence of the inclined portion 23 of the lower wall 16, makes it possible to limit the total area of the blank 50 used.

Thus, with equal front wall dimensions 13, the surface of the blank 50 used is much smaller than that a blank intended to form a packaging of symmetrical section completely enveloping the group of yogurt pots.

According to variants not shown, the height of the rear wall 14 can be very small or even zero.

The invention can of course be applied to packaging of all types of objects, in particular of containers. Of course, the invention makes it possible to condition groups of variable number of objects, for example including 2x3 or 2x4 objects ...

Claims (16)

Sheath-type packaging (3) for wrapping a group of at least two objects (2) such as containers, the packaging comprising a front wall (13), a rear wall (14), an upper end wall ( 15) and a lower end wall (16) connecting the front (13) and rear (14) walls, characterized in that the height ( H ) of the front wall is greater than that ( h ) of the rear wall, and in that one of the end walls (16) comprises at least one inclined part (23) and at least one rear opening (24) for receiving an object close to the rear wall. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that, at least two objects being arranged one behind the other, said end wall (16) comprises means (22, 26) retaining at least one object (2) close to the wall before, these retaining means being intended to be located at a level different from that of the opening (s) rear (24). Packaging according to claim 2, characterized in that the retaining means comprise at least one opening before (26) receiving part of a close object of the front wall (13). Packaging according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each front opening (26) and / or rear (24) is formed in the inclined part (23) of said end wall (16). Packaging according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said end wall includes interior flaps (30, 31) for holding objects. Packaging according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the objects comprising converging sections (4), each front opening (26) and / or rear (24) is intended to receive the convergent section (4) of the corresponding object and has an outline (25, 27) of suitable shape to retain this converging section. Packaging according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said end wall is the bottom end wall (16). Packaging according to claims 2 and 7 taken together, characterized in that the retaining means comprise an object support formed by a part (22) of the lower wall (16) intended to be placed horizontally under the corresponding object (s). Packaging according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, the objects comprising end flanges (8), receiving openings (36, 37) and retaining these ledges are provided in the front wall (13) and / or in the rear wall (14) of packaging. Packaging according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the front wall (13) is intended to extend substantially over the entire height of the group of objects (2). Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the rear wall is of minimum height ( h ) or even zero. Elongated blank (50) for forming a package according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises successive panels (51 56) intended to form the front (13), rear (14) walls, upper end (15), and lower end (16) of the packaging (3), and in that the panel (52) intended to form the front wall (13) has a length greater than that of the panel (55) intended to form the rear wall (14). Blank according to claim 12, characterized in that the panel (54) intended to form the inclined part (23) of said end wall (16) has openings (64, 72) for receiving objects of shapes adapted to the inclination of this inclined part (23) in the packaging formed (3). Set (1) comprising a group of at least two objects (2) such as containers and packaging (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 which envelops the group of objects. An assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that at least two of the objects (2) are arranged one behind the other. Assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that the group of objects comprises a front row (10) and a rear row (11) of objects (2).

Images