EP0982232A1 - Carton with reinforced bottom - Google Patents

Abstract

The carton comprises a base (3) and lateral walls (4,6). The base comprises a number of reinforcing ribs (25) that have wedge shaped ends. Similar ribs (26) continue vertically up the end walls (4). The ribs are designed such that the cartons can be stacked such that the ends of the base ribs and the ends of the end ribs mate thus forming a more stable stacked structure with the base section adequately supported.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of packaging; she relates more particularly to packaging made of cardboard or similar material provided with a reinforced bottom.

Many solutions have been proposed to increase the resistance of the packaging, in particular to limit the buckling of its bottom linked to the weight of the packaged products. In the vast majority of cases however, the solutions envisaged consist in increasing the thickness of the used cardboard, which has the effect of significantly increasing the cost of comes back from conditioning.

In documents FR-A-1 299 618 and US-A-3 934 790, the substance of the described packaging is reinforced by one or more monobloc ribs. In both cases however, the structure of the side walls which extend the bottom facing said ribs requires the presence of extension flaps large which increase the area of cardboard required; moreover, due to this particular wall structure, the corresponding packaging is not not easily mechanizable.

The present invention provides a new type of packaging allowing, from a simple and easily mechanized structure, to increase significantly the buckling resistance performance without the need for additional large cardboard areas.

The packaging according to the present invention is of the type consisting of a square or rectangular bottom, the four sides of which are extended by side walls connected by fold lines, and the bottom of which comprises at least one monobloc reinforcement rib which s 'extends over its entire length or over its entire width.
This packaging is characterized by the fact that the rib (s) which are arranged in the bottom consist of a fold in two assembled flaps, and in that the two side walls facing each other which extend the bottom opposite said rib or ribs include arrangements in the form of a rib (s) or in the form of a cutout (s) for absorbing the bottom material used for the formation of said one or more ribs.

The one-piece reinforcing rib preferably extends in a plane perpendicular to the bottom plane, but it can also be folded against the bottom and secured to it, for example by bonding.

According to a particular embodiment, the bottom of the packaging has at least one integral rib which extends from its face upper, in the packaging volume. According to another possibility, the bottom of the packaging has at least two parallel ribs which extend from its underside.

According to another characteristic of the invention, two of the side walls facing the packaging are provided with at least one monobloc rib of reinforcement consisting of a fold in two assembled flaps. This rib preferably extends over the entire height of said walls and is positioned in the extension of the one-piece rib (s) in the background.

According to a first embodiment, the packaging comprises at least one monobloc rib which extends over the entire length or over the entire width of the upper face of the bottom, in a plane perpendicular thereto; the two side walls facing each other which extend the bottom opposite said one or more ribs are both provided with one or more monobloc ribs which extend over the entire height of their internal face, in the extension said one or more one-piece ribs at the bottom.
Preferably, the ends of the one-piece rib (s) of the bottom and the lower ends of the one-piece ribs of the two side walls have a cut at 45 ° to obtain a ribbing continuity of the miter cut type.

According to a second embodiment, the packaging comprises at least two monobloc ribs which extend over the entire length or over the entire width of the bottom face of the bottom, in a plane perpendicular thereto, and the two side walls facing each other which extend said facing bottom of said ribs, also have two integral ribs which extend over the entire height of their external face, in the extension of the two one-piece ribs at the bottom.

Preferably, the two ends of the one-piece ribs at the bottom, as well as the two ends of the one-piece ribs of the two side walls have oblique cutouts forming interlocking members in view stacking.

This particular type of packaging allows the realization of a stacking combination between a large package and at least two small ones packaging arranged transversely; the interlocking members of one at least the ribs of the small packages then come to cooperate with the nesting members of the large packaging to stabilize the stack during stacking.

According to another possible embodiment, two side walls in vis-à-vis which extend the bottom of the packaging have cutouts on their full height, in line with the one-piece rib (s) fitted in the background. These cutouts divide the side walls into several flaps which partially overlap and which are joined between them to absorb the bottom material which is used for the formation of its or its one-piece ribs.

• la figure 1 est une vue à plat d'un flan de carton permettant l'obtention d'un emballage à fond renforcé conforme à la présente invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective de l'emballage mis en volume à partir du flan de la figure 1, vu par dessus ;
• la figure 3 montre une perspective du même emballage vu par dessous ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon 4-4 de l'emballage illustré sur la figure 2 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue partielle, en coupe, montrant une variante de réalisation ;
• la figure 6 montre une combinaison de gerbage entre un grand plateau et un petit plateau disposé transversalement, les deux plateaux concernés ayant une structure similaire à celle de l'emballage illustré sur les figures 1 à 4 ;
• la figure 7 est une vue à plat d'un flan de carton permettant l'obtention d'une seconde forme de réalisation possible d'emballage conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective de l'emballage mis en volume à partir du flan de la figure 7 ;
• la figure 9 est une vue en perspective par dessus d'une troisième forme de réalisation possible d'emballage conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 10 est une vue en perspective par dessous de l'emballage illustré sur la figure 9 ;
• la figure 11 est une vue à plat du flan de carton permettant l'obtention de l'emballage représenté sur les figures 9 et 10.

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

• Figure 1 is a flat view of a cardboard blank for obtaining a reinforced bottom packaging according to the present invention;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the packaging set in volume from the blank of Figure 1, seen from above;
• Figure 3 shows a perspective of the same packaging seen from below;
• Figure 4 is a sectional view along 4-4 of the packaging illustrated in Figure 2;
• Figure 5 is a partial view, in section, showing an alternative embodiment;
• Figure 6 shows a stacking combination between a large tray and a small tray arranged transversely, the two trays concerned having a structure similar to that of the packaging illustrated in Figures 1 to 4;
• Figure 7 is a flat view of a cardboard blank for obtaining a second possible embodiment of packaging according to the invention;
• Figure 8 is a perspective view of the packaging set in volume from the blank of Figure 7;
• Figure 9 is a perspective view from above of a third possible embodiment of packaging according to the invention;
• Figure 10 is a perspective view from below of the package illustrated in Figure 9;
• FIG. 11 is a flat view of the cardboard blank allowing the packaging shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 to be obtained.

Figure 1 shows a flat corrugated cardboard blank 1 which, once volume, allows obtaining the packaging tray 2 shown in the figures 2 and 4.

The cardboard blank 1 comprises a central part 3 of generally rectangular shape intended to constitute the bottom of the tray 2. This central part 3 is bordered by two small end walls 4 connected by the fold lines 5 and by two large longitudinal walls 6 connected by fold lines 7.
The lateral ends of the small walls 4 include flaps 8 which are intended to be secured to the large walls 6 to ensure the volume of the plate 2 is maintained. In the illustrated embodiment, these flaps 8 consist of two juxtaposed flaps 9 and 10; the first flap 9 is intended to be positioned at an angle in the angles of the plate and the second flap 10 is intended to be joined by bonding with the internal face of the large walls 6.

Note that the grooves 12 of the corrugated cardboard extend in the direction of the median longitudinal axis 13 of the blank 1.

On either side of this median longitudinal axis 13, we note the presence of three additional fold lines 15, 16 and 17 arranged in the central piece of cardboard 3. These three fold lines are mutually parallel and parallel to the 'longitudinal axis 13; they delimit two juxtaposed flaps 18 and 19 which have the same dimensions and which extend over the entire length of the bottom part 3.
The fold lines 15, 16 and 17 extend over the entire height of the end walls 4, at which they delimit two juxtaposed flaps 20 and 21.

The fold line 16 which separates the flaps 18, 19 and 20, 21 is a double fold line while the lateral fold lines 15 and 17 are simple.

Between the pairs of flaps 18, 19 and 20, 21, we note the presence of a V-shaped cutout 22. The cutouts 22 extend between the fold lines 15 and 17; they are oriented towards the inside of the blank from the fold lines 5 and their point is positioned on the central fold line 16.
At the end edge of the small walls 4, we also note the presence of a V-shaped cutout 24 which extends between the fold lines 15 and 17. These V-cutouts 24 are parallel to the cutouts 22; they are oriented towards the inside of the cardboard blank and their point is also positioned on the double central fold line 16.

The volume of the cardboard blank 1 is made by joining between they the internal face of the flaps 18 and 19 to form the two ribs of stiffening 25 from the underside of the bottom 3, on the one hand, and joining together the internal face of the flaps 20 and 21 to form the stiffening ribs 26 from the outer face of the end walls 4. This joining takes place after folding around the fold lines 15, 16 and 17; it is preferably made by gluing.

During this operation, the two fold lines 15 and 17 come practically in contact with each other.

Then, or in the same movement, the side walls 4 and 6 and the external faces of the parts are joined, by bonding or other means 10 of flaps 8 with the internal faces of said walls 6.

The two stiffening ribs 25 are parallel to each other; they extend over the entire length of the bottom 3, under the latter and perpendicular to its plane. The stiffening ribs 26 extend to from the outer face of the end walls 4 over the entire height thereof and perpendicular to their plane; they extend on both sides the stiffening ribs 25 of the bottom 3.

When the end walls 4 are straightened, the ribs 26 are separate ribs 25 thanks to the V-shaped cutouts 22 to form notches 30 which constitute nesting elements for stacking. At level of the upper edge of the end walls 4, the V-shaped cutouts 24 arranged in the cardboard blank form a cutaway 31 after the meeting of the two parts 20 and 21; this cutaway allows the reception of notches 30 of a superimposed tray to stabilize the stack.

The size and number of the one-piece ribs 25 and 26 are adapted in function of the desired resistance while taking into account the amount of additional material required. We will still plan at least two ribs 25 under the bottom 3 to ensure the stability of the plate.

The ribs 25 projecting under the bottom 3 form base for the tray 2 positioned on a flat support; on the other hand, the ribs 26 also form spacer members which facilitate gripping and which provide peripheral ventilation when several trays are arranged next to each other.

In an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the ribs 25 ' are folded against the bottom 3 in order, in particular, to limit their size; preferably these ribs 25 'are secured to the bottom 3 by gluing or other to fix their position. Similarly, the ribs 26 can be folded and secured against the outer face of the wall 4 which carries them.

The nesting members 30,31 allow the stacking of trays identical on each other but we can also consider using them as part of stacking combinations between a large platform and at least two small trays arranged transversely, as illustrated on the figure 6.

The small plate 35 illustrated in this FIG. 6 has a structure similar to that of the plate 2 illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4; it has two external parallel ribs 25 (not visible) which extend over the entire length of its bottom, extended by ribs 26 on its end walls.
The large plate 36 has a width corresponding to the length of the small plate 35 and a length twice the width of the latter. This large plate 36 comprises two external monobloc ribs 25 arranged over the width of its bottom, extended by ribs 26 on its longitudinal walls. The ribs 25, 26 of the plates 35 and 36 are arranged so that at least one of the interlocking members of the small plate 35 comes into correspondence with one of the interlocking members of the large plate 36, so to properly stabilize the stack.

FIG. 7 shows a blank of corrugated cardboard 39 which, once placed volume, makes it possible to obtain another type of packaging 40 in accordance with the invention, illustrated in Figure 8.

This cardboard blank 39 comprises a bottom piece 41 bordered by two large longitudinal walls 42 and by two small end walls 43. The small walls 43 have lateral extensions 44 in several flaps to form corner angles; one of these components is intended to be secured to the ends of the large walls 42 to ensure the maintenance by volume of the packaging.

Over the entire length of the bottom piece 41, we note the presence of three fold lines 45, 46 and 47 parallel to each other, which delimit two identical flaps 48 and 49.

The central fold line 46 is placed on the median longitudinal axis 50 of the blank 39 (it is preferably a double fold line).

The fold lines 45, 46 and 47 extend over the entire height of the end walls 43, at which they delimit two flaps juxtaposed 51 and 52.

Between the pairs of flaps 48, 49 and 51, 52 we notice the presence of square cutouts 53, the function of which will be explained later.

The cardboard blank 39 is made into volume by joining together the external face of the flaps 48 and 49 to form a stiffening rib 54 from the upper face of the bottom 41, and by joining together the external face of the flaps 51 and 52 to form the stiffening ribs 55 from the internal face of the walls 43.
Then, or in the same movement, the corner angles are formed from the flaps 44, the side walls 42, 43 are raised and the end of said walls 42 is secured to one of the flaps of said flaps 44.

The package 40 is obtained provided with a stiffening rib 54 which extends into the packaging volume, perpendicular to the bottom 41, extended over the height of the walls 43 by the internal ribs 55.

The blanks 53 of the blank 39 form bevels at 45 ° at the level of the ends of the rib 54 and at the lower end of the ribs 55, which allow to obtain a ribbing continuity of the cutting type miter, when the walls 43 are raised square to the bottom 41.

The upper end of the ribs 55 extends in the same plane as the end of the walls 43 and it constitutes a lift line allowing improve stability during stacking.

In addition to their stiffening function, the internal ribs 54, 55 form separation and / or wedging members inside the plate 40.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate another embodiment of packaging 60 according to the present invention, obtained by volume of the cardboard blank 61 illustrated in FIG. 11.

This package 60 has a bottom 62 of generally rectangular shape bordered by two large longitudinal walls 63 and by two small walls end 64. Two parallel stiffening ribs 65 extend from from the underside of the bottom 62, perpendicular to the plane of the latter and over its entire width.

The two ribs 65 are formed by the assembly of two flaps 66 and 67 delimited by fold lines 68, 69 and 70 visible on the blank of the figure 11.

In FIG. 9, it can be seen that the ribs 65 end in a pan cut 71 obtained thanks to the triangular cuts 72 arranged in the blank 61.

In this packaging embodiment, the side walls 63 located in the extension of the bottom 62, facing the ribs 65, do not have a stiffening rib. On the cardboard blank 61, we note the presence of cutouts 73 over the entire height of the walls 63, in the extension of the fold line 69 which connects the two flaps 66 and 67; these cutouts 73 divide the walls 63 into several flaps 63 ', 63 "and 63"'.
During the volume setting of the plate, these different flaps 63 ′, 63 ″ and 63 ″ ′ partially overlap to absorb the bottom material which is used to form the ribs 65 and they are joined together, for example by gluing . This partial superimposition of the flaps 63 ′, 63 "and 63" ′ is possible thanks to the presence of the cutouts 72 arranged at the end of the juxtaposed flaps 66 and 67; it is clearly visible in Figures 9 and 10.

Claims (13)

Cardboard or similar material packaging consisting of a square bottom or rectangular (3, 41, 62) whose four sides are extended by walls side (4, 6; 42, 43; 63, 64) connected by fold lines, which bottom (3, 41, 62) comprises at least one monobloc reinforcement rib (25, 54, 65) which extends over its entire length or over its entire width, characterized in that that the rib (s) (25, 54, 65) arranged in the bottom (3, 41, 62) are consist of a fold in two flaps assembled (18, 19; 48, 49; 66, 67), and in this that the two side walls facing each other (4, 43, 63) which extend said bottom (3, 41, 62) facing said one or more ribs (25, 54, 65) include rib-shaped arrangements (26, 55) or cut-out arrangements (73) to absorb the bottom material used for the formation of said or said ribs (25, 54, 65). Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one integral rib (25, 54, 65) which extends in one plane perpendicular to the plane of the bottom (3, 41, 62). Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one monobloc rib (25) folded against the bottom and secured with this one. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one monobloc rib (54) which extends from the upper face of the bottom (42), in the volume of conditioning. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises at least two parallel ribs (25, 65) which extend from the underside of the bottom (3, 62). Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that two of its facing side walls (4, 43) are provided with at least one monobloc rib (26, 55) consisting of a fold in two assembled flaps (20, 21; 51, 52), which rib (26, 55) extends from preferably over the entire height of said walls (4, 43), in the extension or one-piece ribs (25, 54) arranged in the bottom (3, 41). Packaging according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one monobloc rib (54) which extends over the entire length or over the entire width of the upper face of the bottom (41), in a plane perpendicular thereto and in that the two opposite side walls (43) which extend said bottom (41) opposite said one or more ribs (54), are both provided with one or more monobloc ribs (55) which extend over the entire height of their internal face in the extension of said one or more one-piece ribs (54). Packaging according to claim 7, characterized in that the ends of the one-piece rib (s) (54) of the bottom (41), as well as the lower ends of the integral ribs (55) of the two side walls (43) have a 45 ° cut to obtain continuity of ribbing miter cut type. Packaging according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises at least two monobloc ribs (25) which extend over the entire length or over the entire width of the bottom face of the bottom (3), in a plane perpendicular to it and in that the two opposite side walls (4) which extend said bottom (3) opposite said ribs (25) are provided both of two monobloc ribs (26) which extend over the entire height of their end face, in the extension of said ribs monobloc (25). Packaging according to claim 9, characterized in that the two ends of the one-piece ribs (25) of the bottom (3), as well as the two ends of the one-piece ribs (26) of the two side walls (4) have oblique cutouts (22, 24) to form members socket (30, 31) for stacking. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has two facing side walls (63) which extend the bottom (62), provided with cutouts (73) over their entire height, in the extension of the one-piece rib (s) (65) of said bottom (62), which cutouts (73) divide said side walls (63) into several shutters (63 ', 63 ", 63"') partially overlapping and joined together to absorb the bottom material (62) used for the formation of said or said ribs (65). Cardboard blank for obtaining a packaging conforming to one any of claims 1 to 11. Stacking combination of a large package (36) according to the claim 10 with at least two small packages (35) also according to claim 10, arranged transversely on said large packaging (36), the interlocking members of at least one of the ribs (25, 26) of said small packages (35) which cooperate with the members nesting said large package (36) to stabilize the stack during stacking.

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