EP1348635B1 - Blank for package out of semi-rigid material comprising on one surface a heat shrinkable film - Google Patents

Abstract

The blank, made from a semi-rigid material such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, is cut out to form a series of panels (1, 2, 3) and end flaps (4, 5, 6), and has an layer of thermo-shrink plastic film (7) stuck to the inner surfaces of some panels and flaps. The film is attached by adhesive strips (8, 12) to some panels, and by spots of adhesive (10) to other panels and end flaps. After the package has been assembled the plastic film is folded over the contents, detaching it from the spots of adhesive, and is then shrunk by the application of heat to enclose the contents and hold them firmly to the panels with adhesive strips.

Description

The present invention relates to a blank made of a semi-rigid material such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, precut and reprocessed, equipped on a side of a film of heat-shrinkable material, for the production new packaging.

The subject of the invention is also the packaging produced in from this blank.

It has long been proposed to provide indoors packaging made of cardboard or corrugated board one or two sheets of thermoplastic material, fixed on the inner faces of certain parts of the packaging and intended, after placement inside the this one of various articles or products of various dimensions, to come cover those articles or products and close them tightly after retraction (see for example French Patent Nos. 2,703,656, 2,625 681, 2,625,173 and 2,506,722, all of which belong to the Applicant).

Such packaging is very popular with users, because of their simplicity, their ease of use and their high reliability, and many variants are available in the technical.

The present invention is concerned with packages of this type from a pre-cut and repressed blank, which is equipped with a single film of heat-shrinkable material extending over panels intended for constitute walls or parts of packaging walls, as well as on flaps or flaps articulated by upsets on these flaps and intended to overlap at least partially when the packaging is put in volume. The invention is also interested in such packages having bellows in two parts in mutual contact, which in the starting blank are covered by the film of thermosetting material.

The invention aims more particularly at proposing a blank of semi-rigid material for producing such packaging, which is ready for easy separation of the heat-shrinkable film and some of the parts of the flan with which it is attached, prior to its retraction.

• une série de cinq panneaux rectangulaires de même longueur, articulés entre eux suivant leurs bords longitudinaux par des premiers refoulages parallèles, à savoir un premier panneau central, deux seconds panneaux de mêmes dimensions articulés sur ce premier panneau et destinés à être dressés perpendiculairement à la manière de celui-ci et deux troisièmes panneaux de largeur sensiblement égale à la moitié de celle du premier panneau, articulés sur les seconds panneaux et destinés à être dressés perpendiculairement à ceux-ci pour être amenés en position parallèle au premier panneau ;
• aux extrémités des premiers, seconds et troisièmes panneaux, des volets articulés sur eux par des seconds refoulages perpendiculaires aux premiers refoulages, ces volets étant destinés à être dressés perpendiculairement aux panneaux attenants pour former des rabats qui recouvrent au moins partiellement les rabats contigus ;
• un film en matière plastique thermorétractable collé contre certains au moins desdits panneaux et desdits volets, ce film étant destiné à venir recouvrir des articles reposant sur le premier panneau avant d'être soumis à une phase de rétraction, préalablement à la mise en volume du conditionnement ;

   ce conditionnement étant caractérisé en ce que le film thermorétractable est rigidement solidaire par collage de l'ensemble du premier panneau et d'une partie des volets attenants à celui-ci, cette partie ayant la forme d'un trapèze isocèle ou d'un triangle isocèle dont la plus grande base est constituée par le second refoulage par lequel ces volets sont articulés sur le premier panneau, le film thermorétractable étant collé par ailleurs de manière détachable par des points de colle sur les troisièmes panneaux et sur les volets attenants à ces troisièmes panneaux et éventuellement aux seconds panneaux, au voisinage des bords libres de ceux-ci.For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a pre-cut and repressed blank made of a semi-rigid material, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, for producing a packaging, this blank comprising:

• a series of five rectangular panels of the same length, articulated together along their longitudinal edges by first parallel upsets, namely a first central panel, two second panels of the same dimensions articulated on the first panel and intended to be erected perpendicular to the manner of the latter and two third panels of width substantially equal to half that of the first panel, articulated on the second panels and intended to be erected perpendicularly thereto to be brought in parallel position to the first panel;
• at the ends of the first, second and third panels, flaps articulated to them by second upsets perpendicular to the first upsetting, these flaps being intended to be erected perpendicular to the adjacent panels to form flaps which at least partially cover the adjacent flaps;
• a heat-shrinkable plastic film bonded against at least some of said panels and said shutters, this film being intended to cover articles resting on the first panel before being subjected to a retraction phase, prior to setting the volume of the packaging ;

this packaging being characterized in that the heat shrinkable film is rigidly secured by bonding the entire first panel and a portion of the flaps adjacent thereto, this portion having the shape of an isosceles trapezium or a triangle isosceles whose largest base is formed by the second upsetting by which these flaps are hinged to the first panel, the heat-shrinkable film being also glued detachably by glue points on the third panels and on the flaps adjoining these thirds panels and possibly the second panels, in the vicinity of the free edges thereof.

Before formatting the packaging from this blank, one sets up the items to pack on the front of the first panel coated with the film of heat-shrinkable material, the film is detached from other panels and shutters with which it is secured, it is folded over the items resting on the first panel and retraction is done film by heating, so that it encloses the packaged articles to make them integral with the first panel.

Then we fix the other panels and the adjoining shutters and the parts of the film stuck on the flaps deposited at the ends of the central panel lend themselves to an easy folding of this film between the parties overlapping with the adjoining shutters.

After putting in volume of the conditioning, this one can be formed by any means known in the art, for example using a adhesive tape joining the contiguous edges of the third panels and by gluing the flaps.

In a variant of the blank according to the invention, each third panel may have no flaps at its ends and be connected flaps associated with the second panel contiguous by a bellows in two parts, one part being articulated on the third panel by a upsetting arranged in the extension of second upsets corresponding, while the other part is articulated on the adjacent to the second panel by an upset disposed in the extension of the corresponding first push-back, the two parts of the bellows being hinged together by an upset forming an angle of 45 ° with the previous ones, these two parts being intended to come into mutual contact in the packaging put in volume.

In this achievement, which also falls within the scope of this invention, the heat-shrinkable film is releasably bonded against the two parts of the bellows near the free edges thereof.

Advantageously, in these two embodiments, lines of pre-cut can be formed in the heat-shrinkable film between the corresponding parts of the panels and the shutters or bellows it is not secured or on which it is detachably attached, to facilitate the retraction of the film on the articles to be packaged.

Whatever the embodiment considered, the packaging made from the blanks defined above and containing items held in position on the first panel using the heat shrink film is another object of the invention.

La figure 1 est une vue en plan d'un premier flan en carton ondulé prédécoupé et refoulé selon l'invention ;

La figure 2 est une vue en plan d'un second flan en carton ondulé prédécoupé et refoulé conforme à l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the blank of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows of two embodiments of this blank. In this description, reference is made to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a first corrugated cardboard blank precut and repressed according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a second corrugated cardboard blank precut and repressed according to the invention.

We will first refer to Figure 1.

The blank shown includes a series of five panels rectangular of the same length, articulated between them by first parallel extrusions, arranged along their longitudinal sides, to know a central panel 1, two panels 2 of the same width, articulated laterally on the panel 1, and two panels 3, having a width equal to half of that of panel 1, each articulated on one of the panels 2, the panels 1, 2, 3, being intended to be straightened perpendicular to the adjoining panels when placing in volume of the packaging.

At the ends of these panels are articulated by second perpendicular to the preceding referenced shutters respectively 4, for panel 1, 5 for panels 2 and 6 for panel 3. Shutters 4 to 6 are intended to be straightened perpendicular to the associated panels, when setting the volume conditioning, forming flaps that cover partially contiguous flaps.

A film 7 made of a thermosetting material extends over the panels 1-3, that it covers entirely, and on flaps 4-6, that it overlaps at least partially. This film is intended, in a known manner in itself, to be folded onto items of various shapes based on the panel 1 and then be heat-shrunk prior to volume of the packaging and its closure, so as to enclose packaging articles and to make them panel 1.

According to the invention, the heat-shrinkable film 7 is rigidly secured to the entire panel 1, here using three parallel strips 8 of glue, but we could as well use any other collage mode. It is also rigidly interdependent 9 shutters 4, here in the form of isosceles trapezium, whose large base is confused with the transverse side of the adjacent panel 1, following a at least part of the length of the associated upsetting, but this part 9 could as well be in the shape of an isosceles triangle.

Moreover, the film 7 is detachably fixed with the aid of 10 glue points on the panels 3, near their free edges as well as on the flaps 5 and 6, also in the vicinity of their edges free.

The pre-equipped blank coated with the heat-shrinkable film can thus be easily transported, handled and stored flat.

During its use, the articles to be packaged are put in place on the face of panel 1 covered with film 7, which is then disassociated panels 3 and flaps 5 and 6, to be folded on these objects and be heat-shrunk, the conditioning can then be be formatted.

During this shaping, the folding of the film 7 between the parts of the overlapping walls 4 and 5 is facilitated by the trapezoidal shape isosceles of part 9, whose base angles are preferably equal at 45 °.

To facilitate the folding of the film 7 and its retraction on the articles to conditioning, precut lines can advantageously be arranged on the film at the level of the ups and downs by which the shutters 5 and 6 are respectively articulated on the panels 2 and 3, these lines of pre-cut being broken during the take-off of the film.

As indicated above, after conditioning of the packaging, it can be closed by any means known in the technical.

It will be noted that an opening 11 is provided in one of the panels 3 and that the film 7 is glued locally on this panel by two lines of adhesive 12 extending laterally, on either side of the opening 11 to the adjacent panel 1. The part of the film separating the glue lines 12 and the part opposite the panel 3 define thus a pocket, in which can be housed an identification sheet packaged goods, which can be read from the outside through the opening 11.

In the variant of Figure 2, where the parts already described in reference to Figure 1 are designated by the same figures of referred to index ', the panels 3' no longer include shutters at their ends, but are joined to the flaps adjoining the panels 2 'contiguous by bellows in two parts 13' and 14 '. The parts 13 'are hinged to the panel 3' by an upset disposed in the extension of the second upsets, while the parts 14 ' are articulated on the adjoining flaps 5 'by a push-back arranged in the extension of the first corresponding upsets.

The film 7 'is releasably glued by glue dots on parts 13 'and 14' and, after detachment of this film, those parts can come into mutual contact when setting the volume of the conditioning.

Here again, precut lines can be provided in the 7 'film at the upsetting between the flaps 5' and the parts 12 ' on the one hand, and the panels 2 'and 3', on the other hand, to facilitate the retraction of the film, without sparing openings in it.

The mode of use of the blank of FIG. 2 is in every respect similar to that of the blank of Figure 1.

Claims (5)

1. A precut and turned-over blank made of a semirigid material, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, for forming a packaging, said blank comprising:

   a series of five rectangular panels of the same length and articulated to one another along their longitudinal edges by first parallel turned-over portions, i.e. a first central panel (1), two second panels (2) of the same dimensions, articulated to said first panel and intended to be aligned perpendicularly to the latter and two third panels (3) of a width substantially equal to half that of the first panel (1), which are articulated to the second panels (2) and intended to be aligned perpendicularly to the latter so as to be brought into a position parallel to the first panel (1);

   at the ends of the first, second and third panels (1-3) flaps (4,5,6) articulated thereon by second turned-over portions perpendicular to the first turned-over portions, said flaps (4,5,6) being intended to be aligned perpendicularly to the adjoining panels (1,2,3) so as to form flaps which at least partly cover the adjacent flaps;

   a film (7) of heat-shrinkable plastics material adhered against at least some of said panels (1-3) and said flaps (4-6), said film (7) being intended to cover the articles resting on the first panel (1) before undergoing a shrinking stage before the packaging is erected;

      said blank being characterised in that the heat-shrinkable film (7) is rigidly attached by gluing to the assembly of the first panel (1) and one part (9) of the flaps (7) adjoining the latter, said part (9) being in the shape of an isosceles trapezium or of an isosceles triangle whose largest base is formed by the second turned-over portion by which said flaps (7) are articulated to the first panel (1), the heat-shrinkable film (7) moreover being glued detachably by spots of glue (10) to the third panels (3) and to the flaps (5,6) adjoining said third panels (3) and, optionally, the second panels (2) in the vicinity of the free edges thereof.
2. A precut and turned-over blank made of a semirigid material, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, for forming a packaging, said blank comprising:

   a series of five rectangular panels of the same length and articulated to one another along their longitudinal edges by first parallel turned-over portions, i.e. a first central panel (1'), two second panels (2') of the same dimensions, articulated to said first panel and intended to be aligned perpendicularly to the latter and three third panels (3') of a width substantially equal to half that of the first panel (1'), which are articulated to the second panels (2') and intended to be aligned perpendicularly to the latter so as to be brought into a position parallel to the first panel (1');

   at the ends of the first and second panels (1',2') flaps (4',5') articulated thereon by second turned-over portions perpendicular to the first turned-over portions, said flaps (4',5') being intended to be aligned perpendicularly to the adjoining panels (1',2') so as to form flaps which at least partly cover the adjacent flaps;

      each third panel (3') is connected to the flaps (5') associated with the adjacent second panel (2') by a gusset in two parts (13',14'), one part (13') being articulated to the third panel (3') by a turned-over portion disposed in extension of the corresponding second turned-over portions, whereas the other part (14') is articulated to the flap (5') adjoining the second panel (2') with a turned-over portion disposed in extension of the corresponding first turned-over portion, the two parts (13',14') of the gusset being articulated to one another by a turned-over portion forming an angle of 45° with the former, said two parts (13'14') being intended to come into mutual contact in the erected packaging,

   a film (7') of heat-shrinkable plastics material adhered against at least some of said panels (1'-3') and said flaps (4'-6'), said film (7') being intended to cover the articles resting on the first panel (1') before undergoing a shrinking stage before the packaging is erected;

      said blank being characterised in that the heat-shrinkable film (7') is rigidly attached by gluing to the assembly of the first panel (1') and one part (9') of the flaps (7') adjoining the latter, said part (9') being in the shape of an isosceles trapezium or of an isosceles triangle whose largest base is formed by the second turned-over portion by which said flaps (7') are articulated to the first panel (1'), the heat-shrinkable film (7') moreover being glued detachably by spots of glue (10') to the third panels (3') and adjoining said third panels (3') and, optionally, to the second panels (2') in the vicinity of the free edges thereof.
3. A blank according to either one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that precutting lines are provided between the corresponding parts of the panels (1-3,1'-3') and the flaps (4,5,5') and/or gussets (13',14'), to which it is not attached or to which it is adhered in a detachable manner.
4. A blank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a cutout (11,11') is provided in at least one of the panels (3,3'), whereas strips of glue (12,12') disposed laterally on either side of this cutout (11,11') and extending up to the adjacent panel (1,1') join together the panel (3,3') and the thermoplastic film, thereby forming opposite the opening (11,11') a pocket in which a document can be introduced which is visible from the outside.
5. A packaging formed from a blank according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and containing articles held in position on the first panel (1,1') by the heat-shrinkable film (7,7').

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