EP1193182B1 - Automated packaging case - Google Patents

Abstract

The packaging case made from a pre-cut blank comprises a peripheral casing with hinged panels, a top panel (13) and a bottom panel (14). The extension (20) of the packaging case bottom comprises, successively from the hinged panel, a first band (22) adjacent to the hinged panel, three median bands (23,24,25) separated by folding lines which after folding are glued against each other to form a triple thickness support rib. Following the last median band is an end band (30) extended by a hinged panel fixing band.

Description

The present invention relates to the technical field of packaging and it relates more particularly to packaging cases which are intended for pack unitary products, either by themselves or by preconditioning imposed on them.

The invention relates more specifically to packaging cases which are made from a blank of pre-cut raw material which is then mounted by folding to form the actual packaging.

As a preferred application, the invention relates to packaging cases made from a cardboard blank, preferably compact, without this precision excludes corrugated cardboard or similar products such as material sheets plastic laminated or not.

In the above technical field, it is widely known to carry out a packaging for packaging a unit product from a blank of material first suitable, cut flat and then mounted to form a case in which a unit product must be packaged.

Generally, these are compact cardboard blanks that are made for define, after assembly, a perimeter envelope constituting a case body and having bottom closing systems and top closing systems. The design of these blanks can be retained so that the case body has a shape the more generally parallelipipedic without excluding the case bodies from different shape such as in a pentagonal or hexagonal cross section, even octagonal.

Packaging cases of the above type can be considered giving satisfaction for the primary function which is conditioning or over-conditioning, or even presentation if one of the constituent faces of the envelope have one or more windows intended to allow a visual appreciation of the content product.

It is more and more sought after to ensure the packaging of unitary products in this way but with an additional desire to protect the unit product conditioned against knocks, shocks or even crushing, so as to guarantee its integrity. This is the case for many unit products, pre-conditioned or not, and more particularly of certain products, in particular luxury goods, such as perfumes or analogues which must be able to be effectively protected from the production site to distribution site without the transportation, storage, handling phases being likely to affect their integrity.

To meet such a requirement, it is certain that the cases of packaging of classic design, i.e. delimiting a simple body case and bottom and top closure systems, not suitable for answer the problem. Indeed, it is, for design reasons of assembly and manufacturing, generally impossible to immobilize certain of the product packaged inside the case, so that the displacements internal relative are likely to cause deterioration or destruction detrimental to the general quality to be preserved. This is particularly the case when the content of the body described is likely to come into contact with the bottom of the case body during a fall. In addition, in some cases, it appears necessary to package a product, such as for example a cosmetic product, in a case or packaging with a volume much greater than that of the product packaged, to better reflect the value of this product.

To this end, a utility model DE 94 19 312 has proposed a case of packaging made from a pre-cut blank and mounted by folding, for have a peripheral envelope with hinged panels intended to form a case body, top panel and bottom panel. According to this document, two hinged panels, delimiting the case body, include, on one side helping to delimit the bottom of the case body, a folding extension intended to form a false bottom in the case body. Each folding extension includes, then, a series of three articulated bands, respectively adjacent, median and extreme, extended by a strip of counter-fixing on the internal wall of the panel bearing the extension. The foldable bottom extensions thus formed are intended to be folded inside the case body, before closing the panel below, to form an internal support structure for a product placed in the body of the case.

A case thus constituted then makes it possible to keep the contents of the case at a distance from the bottom to protect it from shocks in case the case falls. In addition, the layout of a false bottom in the case by the bottom extensions makes it possible to condition the produced in a case having an external volume very much greater than that of the product to be packaged.

However, it appeared, in use, that a case thus constituted was not always capable of satisfactorily protecting products with a mass or a relatively high density. Indeed, in the case of packaging of such products, the support structure or false bottom, formed by the extensions of the bottom, is likely to experience a crushing in case of fall of the case under the effect the impact of the conditioned product on the internal timing structure.

It therefore appears the need to have an internal wedging structure reinforced which has a higher resistance than the wedging structures known.

In order to achieve this objective, the invention relates to a packaging case automatable, of the type produced from a pre-cut blank and mounted by folding to have a peripheral envelope with hinged panels intended to form a case body, top panel and bottom panel, at least one of articulated panels comprising, on one side contributing to delimit the bottom of the body case, an extension, called bottom, foldable, counter-fixed on the internal face of the panel, divided by substantially parallel fold lines into hinged strips foldable inside the case body to form an internal support structure for a product placed in the case body.

• une première bande adjacente au panneau articulé,
• au moins trois bandes médianes séparées par des lignes de pliage et de contre-pliage et destinées, après pliage, à être contrecollées successivement les unes à la suite des autres pour former une nervure de support présentant au moins une triple épaisseur de la matière constitutive du flan prédécoupé,
• et à la suite de la dernière bande médiane, une bande extrême prolongée par une bande de contre-fixation sur le panneau articulé.

According to the invention, this packaging case is characterized in that the bottom extension comprises, successively, from the articulated panel:

• a first strip adjacent to the articulated panel,
• at least three median strips separated by folding and counter-folding lines and intended, after folding, to be laminated successively one after the other to form a support rib having at least a triple thickness of the material of the precut blank,
• and following the last middle band, an extreme band extended by a band of counter-fixing on the articulated panel.

Various other characteristics appear from the description given below in reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of nonlimiting examples, embodiments of the subject of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective of a preferred embodiment of a packaging case according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view corresponding to the developed flat state of the precut blank making it possible to obtain the case illustrated in FIG. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section along the plane III-III of FIG. 1 showing the case illustrated on the latter in the closed position.

Fig. 4 is a view, similar to FIG. 2 , showing a precut blank intended to form a case according to the invention, according to a variant embodiment different from that illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

Fig. 5 is a section, similar to FIG. 3 , from the case obtained from the blank illustrated in FIG. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a precut blank intended to form a case according to another alternative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a section similar to FIG. 3 , of the case produced from the precut blank illustrated in FIG. 6.

In fig. 2 , the contours and the cutouts of the blank 1 are illustrated in solid lines, while the fold lines are illustrated in phantom.

The packaging case, as illustrated in a semi-constituted state by FIG. 1 , is obtained from a blank pre-cut flat, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Such a blank can be produced from compact cartons, corrugated cartons or, again, from suitable plastic sheets. The nature of the material constituting the blank is not characteristic of the invention.

The blank, designated as a whole by the reference 1, comprises four articulated panels 2, 3, 4, 5 which are intended to define a peripheral envelope of generally parallelepiped shape, as shown in FIG. 1.

The purpose of this peripheral envelope E is to constitute a case body, that is to say, within the meaning of the concept of packaging, a container.

The invention could find an identical application with a peripheral envelope E having a different shape and, for example, having a pentagonal, hexagonal, or even octagonal section and, in such a case, the number of articulated panels would then be chosen in correspondence with the number sides of the cross section of the envelope.

Fig. 2 shows that the panels 2, 3, 4 and 5 extend one after the other, being each delimited, with respect to the next, by means of fold lines 6, 7 and 8 which are parallel to each other and perpendicular the alignment of hinged panels 2 to 5.

For reasons which emerge from the following, the articulated panel 5 is provided, beyond a fold line 9, with a connecting strip 10 with the panel 2, such a connection being able to intervene in several different ways and preferably by gluing.

Conventionally, the panels 2 and 4 are bordered, beyond fold lines 11 and 12 respectively parallel to each other and perpendicular to the lines 6, 7 and 8, respectively, of a top panel 13 and of a panel 14. These panels 13 and 14 have in plan a shape corresponding to the cross section of the peripheral envelope E, that is to say in this case rectangular and are each provided, beyond a fold line 15 or 16 parallel to lines 11 and 12 , of a flap 17 or 18.

In accordance with an essential characteristic of the invention, at least one of the articulated panels 2, 3, 4 and 5 delimiting the peripheral envelope and preferably according to the example illustrated, two non-adjacent panels 3 and 5 have an extension 20 , said bottom, foldable and counter-fixed on the internal face of the panel carrying the extension, as will emerge from the following.

Each bottom extension 20 extends from a fold line 21 which is perpendicular to the fold lines 6, 7, 8 and 9 and which corresponds to the side of the articulated panel contributing to delimit the bottom of the case body. Each bottom extension 20 comprises, from the fold line 21 separating it from the articulated panel carrying it, a series of articulated bands separated from each other by fold lines substantially parallel to each other and to the fold line 21. Thus, each bottom extension 20 comprises, successively, a first articulated strip 22 adjacent to the articulated panel, respectively 3 and 5 .

The bottom extension 20 then comprises at least three and, according to the example illustrated, exactly three median bands 23, 24 and 25 , the first median band of which is separated from the adjacent band 22 by a fold line 26 parallel to the fold line 21. The three median strips, 23 to 25, are delimited between them by fold and counter-fold lines 27 and 28 parallel to line 26. The last median strip 25 is extended beyond a fold line 29 parallel to lines 26 to 28, by an end band 30 which comprises, opposite the last middle band 25 and beyond a fold line 31 parallel to lines 21, 26, 27, 28 and 29 a counter-fixing strip 32.

Preferably but not strictly necessary, the articulated panels 3 and 5 each have, opposite the extension from below and at a side delimiting the top of the case, an extension, called from above 40, intended to form an internal wedging structure, as will become apparent below.

Each top extension 40 extends from a fold line 41, parallel to the fold line 21, and is divided by fold lines 42, 43 and 44, parallel to each other and to the fold line 41 in articulated bands. Thus, each extension 40 comprises, successively and from the hinged panel 3 or 5 carrying it, a first band 45, adjacent to said hinged panel, then at least one middle band 46 and an end band 47 extended, opposite the articulated median strip 46 and beyond the fold line 44 by a counter-fixing strip 48.

The shape of the precut blank, thus formed after marking the fold lines in order to obtain the case, as illustrated in the closed position in FIG. 3, is carried out in the following manner.

First of all, the bottom extensions 20 are formed by folding the first central strip 23 against the internal face of the adjacent strip 22, then by folding and counter-fixing, preferably by gluing, the intermediate central strip 24 against the first middle strip 23 and, then, by fixing the last middle strip 25 against the strip 24. This counter-fixing, one after the other, of the strips 23, 24 and 25 makes it possible to obtain a support rib 50 formed by a triple thickness of the material constituting the blank 1 , as shown in FIG. 3 more particularly.

Then, the extreme articulated band 30 is folded towards the internal face of the articulated panel 3 or 5, in order to counter-fix the articulated fixing band 32 on this internal face. The two top extensions 40 are then folded down and counter-fixed on the internal faces of the panels 3 and 5. This operation is carried out by folding the articulated band 46 towards the band 45, then the articulated band 47 towards the internal face of the articulated panel. 3 or 5, in order to fix, preferably but not exclusively by gluing, the counter-fixing strip 48. The assembly of the case is finally completed by counter-fixing the connecting strip 10 on the internal face of the hinged panel 2.

At this stage of the preconstitution of the case according to the invention, the latter can be stored flat to then be taken care of, for example by an automatic shaping and filling machine. This shaping can, for example, be carried out by ensuring the closure of the bottom of the case by bringing the extensions from below 20 towards the inside of the case body in the direction of the arrows F1 , then by closing the panel. bottom 14. In this position, the case is closed at the bottom and the extensions 20 form an internal support structure for a product, preferably but not exclusively, unitary preconditioned, as illustrated in phantom in FIG. . 3. In this position, the adjacent articulated bands 22 are preferably supported on the bottom of the case constituted by the bottom panel 14 and the extreme articulated bands 30 provide a support surface for the product P.

After introducing the product P, it is possible to close the case by folding the top extensions 40 towards the inside of the case in the direction of the arrows F2, then closing the top panel 13. In in this position, the articulated bands 45 are preferably but not exclusively supported on the top panel, while the extreme articulated bands 47 provide wedging surfaces for the product P.

The case according to the invention makes it possible, very advantageously, to offer a confinement space between the internal wedging support structures formed by the bottom 20 and top 40 extensions for the product P packaged inside. from the case.

In addition, in accordance with a very advantageous characteristic of the invention, the ribs 50 take up the weight of the particularly resistant product P , given the triple thickness of said ribs 50. Thus, the product P, packaged inside the case according to the invention is perfectly protected, in particular in the event of the case and its contents falling.

It should also be noted that the internal support and wedging structures formed by the bottom 20 and top 40 extensions contribute to defining, inside the case, a confinement volume of the product to be conditioned lower than the total volume from the case.

According to the example illustrated, in order to allow observation of the contents of the case, without opening of the latter, a window 51 is arranged in the hinged panels 3 to 5 contributing to delimit the peripheral envelope E of the case.

According to the example illustrated, the articulated panel 4 has, opposite the bottom panel 14, a flap 55 extending beyond a fold line 56 parallel to the fold line 12. The flap 55 is , in addition, extended beyond a fold line 57 parallel to the line 56 by a reinforcing panel 58 intended to be laminated to the internal face of the flap 55. The implementation of such a reinforced flap is not strictly necessary for the constitution of a case according to the invention, but allows, however, to strengthen the structure. It should be noted that, in the case of the implementation of the reinforced flap 55, the latter must be folded against the internal face of the articulated panel 4, before folding the top extensions 40 inside the case.

In certain particular cases of use, it may appear desirable, in addition to keeping the product packaged in the case away from the bottom and above, to keep it away from the internal face of the panels defining the peripheral envelope of the 'case. To this end, it can then be envisaged to arrange, in the top 40 and bottom 20 extensions , cutouts 60, 61 and 62, as shown in FIG. 4. When mounting the case, these cutouts then define a cell 65 for receiving a unitary conditioned product. Of course, it can be envisaged to arrange as many separate cutouts, in order to define different cells for several packaged unit products for example.

In the above examples, the top extensions have only one central articulated band 46. However, it could be envisaged that the top extensions have a conformation substantially similar to that of the bottom extensions. Thus, fig. 6 shows an example of a flat precut blank, in which the top extensions 40 each have three articulated median strips intended to be laminated together, in order also to define support and wedging ribs, as is the case for the bottom extensions more particularly illustrated in FIG. 7. It should be noted that, according to fig. 6 , the hinged panel 4 does not have, opposite the bottom panel 14, a flap.

According to the examples illustrated above, each bottom extension 20 comprises three articulated median strips intended to be laminated with each other, so as to define a recovery rib 50 having a triple thickness of the material constituting the blank 1. Of course, it could be envisaged that each extension or one of the two bottom extensions 1 comprises more than three median strips 23 to 25, in order to define a recovery rib 50 formed by the assembly of more than three thicknesses of material components of the blank 1.

Preferably, each bottom extension 1 then has an odd number of median strips separated by fold and counter-fold lines which allow an accordion fold of the median strips to assemble them together and allows the extension 20 to be folded down to come the counter-fix on the internal face of the articulated panel carrying it, so that, in the closed position, the end band is placed towards the inside of the case, while the adjacent band 22 is placed towards the bottom panel 14 . of course, a similar constitution is also possible for extensions of over 40.

Furthermore, in the examples illustrated, the case comprises two bottom extensions and two top extensions. However, it could be envisaged, in accordance with the invention, that the case comprise only a single bottom extension 20 and no top extension 40 or, again, a single bottom extension 20 and a single top extension 40 or any other combination involving at least one bottom extension 20.

Claims (10)

1. An automatable packing case of the type made from a precut blank assembled by folding so as to constitute a peripheral shell of hinged panels (2, 3, 4, 5) for forming a case body, a top panel (13), and a bottom panel (14), at least one of the hinged panels (3) including on a side that contributes to defining the bottom of the case body, a "bottom" extension (20) that is foldable and fixable against the inside face of said panel (3), the extension being subdivided by substantially parallel fold lines (26, 29, 31) into hinged strips (22, 30, 32) foldable inside the case body to constitute an internal support structure for a product (P) placed in the case body,
      the case being characterized in that the bottom extension comprises, in succession starting from the hinged panel:

   a first strip (22) adjacent to the hinged panel (3);

   at least three middle strips (23, 24, 25) joined by forward and reverse fold lines (27, 28) for being stuck successively one to another so as to form a support rib (50) presenting at least three times the thickness of the material constituting the precut blanks; and

   following the last middle strip, an end strip (30) extended by a strip (32) for fixing against the hinged panel (3).
2. A packing case according to claim 1, characterized in that two non-adjacent hinged panels (3, 5) include respective bottom extensions (20) on their sides contributing to defining the bottom of the case body.
3. A packing case according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the bottom extension (20) has an odd number of middle strips (23, 24, 25).
4. A packing case according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that one of the hinged panels (3) defining the case body has a "top" extension (40) on a side defining the top of the case, which extension is foldable to be fixable against the inside face of the panel (3), said extension being subdivided by substantially parallel fold lines and being constituted starting from the side of the hinged panel by the following, in succession:

   a first strip (45) adjacent to the hinged panel (3);

   at least one middle strip (46); and

   an end strip (47) extended by a fixing strip (48), the hinged strips (45, 46, 47) constituting the top extension (40) being foldable to constitute a wedging structure inside the case body.
5. A packing case according to claim 4, characterized in that two non-adjacent hinged panels (3, 5) defining the case body have respective top extensions (40) on their sides defining the top of the case.
6. A packing case according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the top extension (40) comprises at least three middle strips (46) separated by forward and reverse fold lines (42) that are designed to be stuck one after another so as to form a force takeup rib possessing at least three times the thickness of the material constituting the precut blank.
7. A packing case according to claim 6, characterized in that the top extension (40) has an odd number of middle strips (46).
8. A packing case according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least some of the hinged panels (3, 4, 5) defining the case body are cut so as to provide at least one window in the case body.
9. A packing case according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one of the hinged panels defining the case body has a hinged flap (55) extended beyond a fold line by a reinforcing panel (58) for being fixed against the hinged flap.
10. A packing case according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least some of the hinged strips (23, 24, 25, 30, 47, 46) constituting a top or bottom extension (40 or 20) present at least one cutout (60, 61, 62) which, once the extension (40, 20) has been folded, defines a recess for wedging a product (P).

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