EP1440889A1 - Carton container having ventilation means - Google Patents

Abstract

The container has two superimposed layers between which free air circulation is allowed. Adjoining bases (8) reach the lateral conditioning walls (2, 3) and are folded against an external face of a bottom (1). The bases are integrated to form local extra-thickness on the bottom with an interval and to lift with respect to an identical conditioning on which it can be brought to rest.

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging in one semi-rigid material such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, especially for fresh food. In one of its forms of implementation it concerns more particularly a packaging of this type capable of being closed by a seal permeable to air.

Many packaging in cardboard and corrugated cardboard, possibly treated, have been proposed in the art for the transport and exhibition for sale of fresh food. They are usually open at their top and are by example tray type or tray.

For certain products to be packaged, the semi-rigid material constituting these packages is however coated, at least on the faces of its different parts facing inwards, of a continuous flexible film of a gas impermeable plastics material and liquids. These packages are also open to their part superior, but edges also sheathed with this film plastic can project parallel to the bottom, so as to ability to weld, after placing the food or products packaged, a plastic closure film.

Plastic films used in the past as operculas had the disadvantage of being impervious to air, whereas for certain packaged goods or products intended to undergo treatment, it is desirable that the air located inside the conditioning can be renewed and that a gas exchange can occur between the inside and the outside of the packaging.

It has therefore been necessary to substitute impermeable lids gases that are permeable to air, for example of plastics or certain complexed papers weldable.

These materials are entirely satisfactory, but we have found that when packages are stacked layers, with the bottom of the packages a layer resting on the film of closure of the packaging of the layer immediately bottom of the pile, the bottoms of the packages are opposed to a satisfactory circulation of the ambient air towards the inside of the packaging, or conversely gases from the inside of the package to the outside of this one.

There may be a similar problem even when the packaging is simply made of cardboard or corrugated cardboard of a very closed porosity, treated or not, but not covered with plastic film.

The present invention aims to remedy this drawback by arranging these various packages so as to allow a free air circulation between superimposed layers of such packaging.

The subject of the invention is therefore a packaging in a semi-rigid material such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, this packaging comprising a bottom portion and side walls at least some of which are articulated on this part of the background, this conditioning being characterized in that, in order to allow a free flow of air between superimposed layers of such conditioning, legs attached to certain walls of the packaging or internal or external flaps adjacent to walls of the packaging are folded against the outer face of the bottom and are in solidarity with them, so as to form local extra thicknesses on this bottom and elevate it as well compared to a similar conditioning on which he may have to rest.

These legs can be glued, welded or locked mechanically in position on the outer face of the bottom, in particular in the corners of it, and the extra thicknesses that they form there between two layers of similar packaging superimposed an interval allowing the ambient air to circulate and or to come and renew the one inside the packaging, or still let out the gases formed in the packaging by reaction between the different products or commodities that are there conditioned.

Preferably, in order to increase this freedom of air circulation ambient, at least one fold line joining the bottom and at least one any side wall and extending between two tabs arranged on the same side of the outer face of the bottom, forms a curved line the concavity is turned outward. In this way, after conditioning form, the central part of the bottom is even more raised than the legs joined by this fold line.

The invention is particularly well suited to packaging in a semi-rigid material whose interior is coated of a plastic film and which include in the part upper part of some walls of the laterally projecting parts, parallel to the bottom, and intended to receive a closing cap permeable to air.

In such an embodiment, the side walls of the conditioning can advantageously be inclined towards the bottom, in such a way that the cross-section of the packaging is more wide at its upper end than at the bottom, thus offering a wide passage to air flowing between packs of the same layer, or between adjacent cells of such packages, edges of the plastic film eventually making protruding outwards and arranged at the top of these packaging thus also ensuring a similar function.

The packaging according to the invention is therefore particularly well suited for transport, storage and display for sale, under layers, foodstuffs, especially foodstuffs foodstuffs, or products for which an excellent circulation of ambient and / or indoor air is necessary for their warming or their cooling, maturation and / or preservation.

Two forms of implementation of the invention will be described given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, but will be clear to those skilled in the art that the invention applies well other types of packaging.

Les figures 1 et 2 sont des vues en perspective de trois-quarts, respectivement de dessus et de dessous, d'un conditionnement en carton ou en carton ondulé du type barquette conforme à l'invention, non gainé d'une pellicule en matière plastique ;

La figure 3 est une vue en plan du flan de carton ou de carton ondulé prédécoupé et refoulé dont est issu le conditionnement des figures 1 et 2 ;

Les figures 4 et 5 sont des vues analogues aux figures 1 et 2 du corps d'un autre conditionnement en carton ou carton ondulé conforme à l'invention, mais gainé d'une pellicule de matière plastique et destiné à être obturé par un opercule ;

La figure 6 est une vue en élévation latérale du conditionnement des figures 4 et 5 obturé par un opercule ;

La figure 7 est une vue en perspective de deux conditionnements fermés du type de la figure 6, empilés l'un sur l'autre ;

La figure 8 est une vue en plan du flan de carton ou carton ondulé prédécoupé et refoulé, à partir duquel peut être mis en forme un corps de conditionnement des figures 4 à 7.

On the drawings:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are three-quarter perspective views, respectively from above and from below, of a carton or corrugated cardboard packaging of the type according to the invention, not lined with a plastic film. ;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the blank of cardboard or corrugated cardboard precut and reprocessed which is derived from the packaging of Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 4 and 5 are views similar to Figures 1 and 2 of the body of another packaging cardboard or corrugated cardboard according to the invention, but sheathed with a plastic film and intended to be closed by a cover;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the packaging of Figures 4 and 5 closed by a lid;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of two closed packages of the type of Figure 6, stacked one on the other;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the precut blank and corrugated cardboard blank, from which a conditioning body of FIGS. 4 to 7 can be formed.

Reference is made first to FIGS. 1 to 3.

• une partie de fond 1, ici de forme sensiblement rectangulaire ;
• deux parois longitudinales 2, articulées par deux lignes de pliage 10 suivant deux côtés parallèles du fond 1 et dressées perpendiculairement à celui-ci ;
• deux parois transversales 3, articulées par deux lignes de pliage suivant les deux autres côtés du fond 1 et également dressées perpendiculairement à celui-ci.

The packaging shown is of a general type known per se, comprising:

• a bottom portion 1, here of substantially rectangular shape;
• two longitudinal walls 2 articulated by two fold lines 10 along two parallel sides of the bottom 1 and erected perpendicular thereto;
• two transverse walls 3, articulated by two fold lines along the other two sides of the bottom 1 and also erected perpendicularly thereto.

At both ends of the walls 2, flaps 4 forming internal flaps are articulated by perpendicular fold lines at the bottom, these flaps 4 being folded perpendicularly to these walls 2 against the inner face of the walls 3 contiguous and pinched between the wall 3 associated and a panel 5, articulated by a double extrusion parallel to the bottom 1 at the top of this wall 3 and folded against this wall inside the packaging. A tongue 6 protruding towards the bottom 1 from the contiguous edge of the panel 5, is engaged in a slot 7 arranged in corresponding position in the bottom 1, to lock the packaging in the mounted position.

According to the invention, tongues 8 cut to ends of the walls 3, in a position contiguous to the bottom 1, are adjoining by a double upset with flaps 4 contiguous and are folded perpendicular to these, to come to apply and be glued against the outer face of the bottom 1, where they form at each corner an external extra thickness.

When the full packages are stacked one on the other others, each of them is based on the parts 9 arranged between the double upsets by which the walls 3 of the package immediately below are articulated on the adjoining panels 5 and in this position, the tabs 8 form shims, which thus allow easy access of ambient air to the interior of packaging and evacuation to the outside of the gases emitted by the goods packaged.

To promote and increase this ventilation of the interior of the package, the fold lines 10 through which the walls 2 are articulated on the bottom are not perfectly parallel to each other, but are slightly curved between the tabs 8 located at their ends, with their concavity facing outwards, so that the middle part of the base of the walls 2 is raised with respect to 8. The communication between the inside of the packaging and the ambient atmosphere is thereby increased in a particularly simple. The fold lines 10 'through which the transverse walls 3 are articulated on the bottom 1 can also be curved, with their concavity turned towards the outside, instead of the fold lines 10 or in addition to these.

The packaging shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 is of the general type marketed by the Applicant under the name PUR-T (trademark Mark). It includes a corrugated body, which, unlike of a conventional tray and the packaging shown in FIGS. 3, is provided inside a thermoformed coating material Food grade plastic, which makes it fit to receive products fresh food, and it is intended to be closed, after filling, by a seal permeable to gases.

• une partie de fond 11, ici de forme octogonale ;
• deux parois latérales 12, articulées respectivement par une ligne de pliage suivant deux côtés opposés du fond 11 ;
• deux autres parois latérales 13, articulées respectivement par une ligne de pliage sur le fond 11 suivant deux côtés de celui-ci non contigus à ceux par lesquels les parois 12 sont articulées sur ce fond ;
• quatre parois latérales 14, deux d'entre elles étant associées à chacune des parois 13, suivant les bords latéraux desquelles elles sont articulées par des lignes de pliage inclinées par rapport au fond 11 ;
• quatre volets 15, chacun d'entre eux étant articulé par une ligne de pliage inclinée par rapport au fond 11 sur l'une des parois 14, ces volets 15 étant destinés à venir s'appliquer contre la face interne des parois 12 contiguës pour en être rendus solidaires ;
• des parties en saillie 16, articulées par une ligne de pliage suivant un bord des volets 14 opposé au fond 11, ces parties 16 étant repliées parallèlement au fond vers l'intérieur de l'emballage en prenant appui sur l'arête supérieure des volets 15, avec une extrémité 16a repliée contre la face externe de ceux-ci et collée contre eux ou éventuellement verrouillée mécaniquement en position, dans une partie doublée d'une paroi 12 ;
• des rabats 17, articulés par un double refoulage sur les parois 3, suivant un côté de ces parois opposé au fond 11, et repliés contre les faces internes de ces parois 13.

This body comprises, in a manner known per se:

• a bottom portion 11, here of octagonal shape;
• two side walls 12, articulated respectively by a fold line along two opposite sides of the bottom 11;
• two other side walls 13, articulated respectively by a fold line on the bottom 11 along two sides thereof not adjacent to those by which the walls 12 are articulated on the bottom;
• four side walls 14, two of which are associated with each of the walls 13, along the lateral edges of which they are articulated by fold lines inclined relative to the bottom 11;
• four flaps 15, each of them being articulated by a fold line inclined relative to the bottom 11 on one of the walls 14, these flaps 15 being intended to be applied against the inner face of the walls 12 contiguous to to be made supportive;
• protruding parts 16, articulated by a fold line along an edge of the flaps 14 opposite the bottom 11, these parts 16 being folded parallel to the bottom towards the inside of the package by resting on the upper edge of the flaps 15 , with one end 16a folded against the outer face thereof and glued against them or possibly mechanically locked in position, in a portion lined with a wall 12;
• flaps 17, articulated by a double upset on the walls 3, along one side of these walls opposite the bottom 11, and folded against the inner faces of these walls 13.

As best seen in FIGS. 4 to 7, a film of thermoplastic material is thermoformed inside the packaging and form a rim 18, continuous or not, outwardly protruding here, to the top of the package. This film sheath completely the face of the parts facing towards the inside of the packaging as well as the facing outwards of parts 16 and 14 and portion 17a of flaps 17 located between the double upsets, on which a gas-permeable cover 19 (see Figure 3), after filling the package.

The packages thus produced in series form a plate in which they are attached to each other by their ledges 18 thermoplastics and the plates of these full and closed packages are delivered stacked on top of each other to their distributors after filling.

According to the invention, to allow a free passage ambient air inwards or outwards through their operculum, and a free flow of air between different layers, tabs articulated by fold lines to the base of the walls 14 are folded against the outer face of the bottom 11, with which they are made jointly, so as to form on this ground a overthickness, which raises the funds of the packaging of the same plate compared to the lids of the packaging of another plate on which they rest.

Always to promote air circulation between the funds of packaging of a plate and the lids of the packaging of another plate on which they rest, the fold lines 21, by which the walls 13 are articulated on the bottom 11 and which bring together the legs 20 contiguous, are not straight, but curved in such a way that their concavity is turned towards the outside of the packaging, that is to say that their central part is elevated with respect to their extremities corresponding to the base of the sidewalls 3. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the central part of the bottom of a package is thus still more elevated compared to the lid of the similar packaging on which he rests.

As in the previous embodiment, the lines of folding 22, by which the walls 12 are articulated on the bottom 11, can be curved, with their concavity turned outward, in more lines 21 or instead thereof.

The inclination of the walls with respect to the bottom of each packaging and the gap created between the packages of the same plate by the flanges 18 of the thermoformed material, when these are provided, further promote the circulation of ambient air between packs of the same plate and between adjacent cells of such packaging.

In the embodiment of the invention of Figures 4 to 8, instead of the tabs 20 described above, it is also possible to provide legs 23 cut at the base of the walls 20, in parts thereof lined internally by the shutters, and articulated on the bottom 11 by part of the fold line 22 (see Figure 8, where the legs 23 are represented in broken lines).

This packaging is therefore particularly well adapted to packaging of foodstuffs or products for which it is important that is renewed, through the seal which closes it, the air present in this package.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the types of packaging or the embodiments which have just been described. Therefore the legs folded against the outer face of the bottom, instead of being articulated at the base of certain side walls of the package, could also be articulated on flaps adjoining the part upper part of some walls and folded against the outer face thereof.

Claims (5)

Packaging made of a semi-rigid material such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, this packaging comprising a bottom portion (1; 11) and side walls (2, 3; 12, 13, 14) some of which (2, 3; 12, 13) are articulated on this bottom portion, this conditioning being characterized in that , in order to allow free circulation of air between superposed layers of such a packaging, tabs (8; 23) adjacent to certain walls (14, 12) of the packaging or to internal flaps (4) or external flanking walls of the packaging are folded against the outer face of the bottom (1; 11) and are integral, to form local overthickness on the bottom and raise it thus compared to an identical packaging on which it can be brought to rest. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the tabs (8; 20, 23) are glued, welded or mechanically locked in position on the outer face of the bottom (1; 11). Packaging according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that between two tabs (8; 20) arranged on the same side of the outer face of the bottom extends a fold line (10, 10 '; 22) according to which a wall (2, 3; 12, 13) is articulated on the bottom (1; 11), this fold line being curved, with its concavity turned towards the outside of the package, so as to raising the central portion of the base of this wall (2, 3; 12, 13) relative to the tabs (8; 20) associated. Packaging according to one of claims 1 to 3, of which the inside is covered with a plastic film, which makes possibly projecting laterally towards the outside of the packaging, at the upper part of the side walls, forming a flange (18), continuous or not, adapted to receive a seal (9) permeable closure in the air. Packaging according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least some of its side walls (12, 13, 14) are inclined towards the bottom (11) so that its cross section is wider than its upper part than near the bottom (11).

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