EP1440889B1 - 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 made of a semi-rigid material such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, especially for fresh foodstuffs. In one of its forms of implementation, it relates more particularly to a packaging of this type capable of being closed by an air permeable cover.

Many packaging paperboard and corrugated board, optionally treated, have been proposed in the art for the transport and display for sale of fresh food. They are usually open at their upper part and are for example tray type or tray.

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

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

It has therefore been necessary to replace the gas-impermeable lids with materials which are permeable to air, for example based on plastics or certain complexed, weldable papers.

These materials are entirely satisfactory, but it has been found that, when the packages are superimposed in several layers, with the bottom of the packages having a layer resting on the closure films of the packages of the immediately lower layer of the stack, the funds packages oppose a satisfactory circulation of ambient air to the interior of the packages, or conversely gases from the inside of the package to the outside of the packaging; this one.

A similar problem can be encountered even when the package is simply made of cardboard or corrugated board with a very closed porosity, treated or not, but not coated with a plastic film.

The present invention aims to overcome this disadvantage by arranging these various packaging so as to allow free circulation of air between layers of such packages.

The invention therefore relates to a packaging made of a semi-rigid material such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, this packaging comprising a bottom part and side walls, at least some of which are articulated on this bottom part, this packaging characterized in that, in order to allow a free flow of air between superimposed layers of such a package, tabs attached to certain walls of the package or to internal or external flaps adjoining walls of the package are folded against the outer face of the bottom and are integral, to form local extra thicknesses on the bottom and raise it thus compared to a similar conditioning on which it can be brought to rest.

These tabs can be glued, welded or locked mechanically in position on the outer face of the bottom, in particular in the corners thereof, and the extra thickness they form between a pair of layers of similar packaging superimposed an interval allowing ambient air to circulate and or to come renew the one inside the packages, or to let out the gases formed in the packaging by reaction between the various products or commodities that are packaged therein.

Preferably, in order to increase this freedom of circulation of ambient air, at least one fold line joining the bottom and at least one lateral wall and extending between two lugs arranged on the same side of the outer face from the bottom, forms a curved line whose concavity is turned outwards. In this way, after forming the packaging, the central portion of the bottom is even higher than the legs joined by this fold line.

The invention is particularly well suited to packaging made of a semi-rigid material, the inside of which is coated with a film of plastics material and which comprises, at the upper part of certain walls, portions projecting laterally, parallel to the bottom, and intended to to receive a seal closure permeable to air.

In such an embodiment, the side walls of the packaging can advantageously be inclined towards the bottom, so that the cross section of the packaging is wider at its upper part than at the bottom, thus offering a wide passage to the air circulating between packages of one and the same layer, or between adjacent cells of such packages, flanges of the plastic film possibly projecting outwards and arranged in the upper part of these packagings, thus also ensuring a similar function .

The packaging according to the invention is therefore particularly suitable for transport, storage and display for sale, in the form of superimposed layers, of foodstuffs, in particular foodstuffs, or products for which excellent circulation of ambient and / or indoor air is necessary for their heating or cooling, maturation and / or preservation.

Two embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the invention applies to many people. 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 fold lines perpendicular to the bottom, these flaps 4 being folded perpendicular to these walls 2 against the inner face of the walls 3 contiguous and clamped between the wall 3 associated and a panel 5, articulated by a double upset parallel to the bottom 1 to the upper part of this wall 3 and folded against this wall inside the packaging. A tongue 6 protruding towards the bottom 1 from the adjacent edge of the panel 5, is engaged in a slot 7 formed in the corresponding position in the bottom 1, to lock the packaging in the mounted position.

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

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

To promote and increase this ventilation of the interior of the package, the fold lines 10 by which the walls 2 are articulated on the bottom are not perfectly parallel to each other, but are slightly curved between the tongues 8 at their ends. , with their concavity facing outwards, so that the median part of the base of the walls 2 is raised relative to the tongues 8. The communication between the inside of the package and the ambient atmosphere is thus increased by 'a particularly simple way. The fold lines 10 'through which the transverse walls 3 are hinged to the bottom 1 may also be curved, with their concavity facing outwards, in place of or in addition to the fold lines 10.

The packaging shown in Figures 4 to 8 is of the general type marketed by the Applicant under the name PUR-T (registered trademark). It comprises a corrugated body which, unlike a conventional tray and the packaging shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, is provided inside with a thermoformed coating of food grade plastic, which makes it suitable for receiving fresh food products, and it is intended to be closed, after filling, by a gas permeable cover.

• 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 come to bear against the inner face walls 12 contiguous to be made integral;
• 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 package and forms a flange 18, continuous or not, projecting outwardly, at the top of the package. packaging. This film completely sheaths the face of the parts facing the inside of the package as well as the outwardly facing face of the parts 16 and 14 and the portion 17a of the flaps 17 located between the double upsets, on which can thus be fixed a seal 19 permeable to gas (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 edges 18 of thermoplastic material and the plates of these closed and full packages are delivered stacked on top of each other to their distributors after filling.

According to the invention, to allow a free passage of ambient air inward or outward of the packages through their lid, and a free flow of air between the different layers, articulated legs 20 by folding lines at the base of the walls 14 are folded against the outer face of the bottom 11, which they are made integral, so as to form on this bottom a thickening, which raises the bottoms of the packaging of the same plate relative to the lids of the packaging of another plate on which they rest.

Also in order to promote the circulation of air between the bottoms of the 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 hinged to the bottom 11 and which join the tabs 20 contiguous, are not straight, but curved so that their concavity is turned towards the outside of the package, that is to say that their central portion is raised relative to their ends corresponding to the base of the side walls 3. As seen in Figure 7, the central portion of the bottom of a package is thus further raised relative to the lid of the similar packaging on which it rests.

As in the previous embodiment, the fold lines 22, by which the walls 12 are hinged to the bottom 11, can be curved, with their concavity facing outwards, in addition to the lines 21 or in place of those -this.

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

In the embodiment of the invention of FIGS. 4 to 8, instead of the tabs 20 described above, it is also possible to provide tabs 23 cut at the base of the walls 20, in parts thereof which are lined internally by the flaps, and articulated on the bottom 11 by a portion of the fold line 22 (see Figure 8, where the tabs 23 are shown in phantom).

This packaging is particularly well suited to the packaging of foodstuffs or products for which it is important that is renewed, through the lid that closes, the air in this packaging.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the types of packaging or embodiments that have just been described. Thus, 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 adjacent to the upper part of certain walls and folded against the outer face of these.

Claims (5)

1. Packaging of a semi-rigid material such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, said packaging comprising a bottom part (1; 11) and side walls (2, 3; 12, 13, 14), at least some (2, 3; 12, 13) of which are hinged to said bottom part, said packaging being characterised in that, with a view to allowing free air circulation between superposed layers of such packaging units, tabs (8; 20, 23) adjoining certain walls (14, 12) of the packaging or adjoining inner (4) or outer flaps adjoining walls of the packaging are folded against the outer face of the bottom (1; 11) and are firmly connected therewith, in order to form areas of local surplus thickness on said bottom, so raising it relative to an identical packaging unit on which it may be brought to rest.
2. Packaging according to claim 1, characterised in that the tabs (8; 20, 23) are glued, welded or bolted mechanically in position on the outer face of the bottom (1; 11).
3. Packaging according to either one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that, between two tabs (8; 20) disposed on one and the same side of the outer face of the bottom, there extends a fold line (10, 10'; 21, 22) along which a wall (2, 3; 12, 13) is hinged to the bottom (1; 11), said fold line being curved, with its concavity turned towards the outside of the packaging, in such a way as to raise the central part of the base of said wall (2, 3; 12, 13) relative to the associated tabs (8; 20).
4. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the interior of which is lined with a film of plastics material, which optionally projects laterally towards the outside of the packaging, at the upper part of the side walls, forming a rim (18), which may or may not be continuous, capable of receiving an air-permeable closing cover (19).
5. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that at least some of its side walls (12, 13, 14) are inclined towards the bottom (11) in such a way that its cross-section is wider at its upper part than in the vicinity of the bottom (11).

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