EP2017182B1 - Packaging with retractable handle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of packaging, cardboard or other semi-rigid material, generally cylindrical shaped articles such as bottles or boxes, drink or other liquid or granular products.

For the sake of convenience of transport and storage, beverage bottles are packaged in cardboard boxes of parallelepipedal or substantially parallelepipedal shape, side by side in a standing position. The invention relates to the packaging of bottles, for example water, in boxes with two parallel rows.

It is interesting especially in times of heavy heat for the body, to keep several bottles of drink, not in bulk but in a suitably shaped box, cool in a refrigerator. Such a type of cardboard packaging is known. It consists of a box whose bottles or boxes are arranged on the bottom parallel to the walls of the box. In use in the refrigerator, the box is lying on a side, so that the bottles are themselves lying down, and comprises a detachable corner providing a dispensing opening in the longitudinal direction of the bottles. Parallel to the opening, possibly a bottom portion tilts around an axis parallel to the bottles and defines a hopper for receiving the bottles sliding through the opening.

It would be desirable for such a package containing bottles to be easily handled. For a package of bottles, it is therefore generally provided a handle system on the upper face which allows to hold the box in the extension of the arm.

The aim of the invention is to produce a package comprising a gripping handle that is both strong enough to support a solid box while occupying the least possible space during transport to the distribution area, in particular not creating an oversize unfavorable to palletization.

Packageable bag packages are known by US 3019960 and US 1949986 .

A package according to the invention is defined by the main claim,

The invention has many advantages.

In the retracted position the handle is completely housed in the box it creates no extra thickness that would interfere with the proper stacking of crates during transport. The solution is ergonomically favorable because the handle can be extended enough for easy grip. In addition, its central position makes it possible to balance the load.

As the handle is formed in a central panel, it performs the function of separating the bottles participating in a good distribution of loads in the box.

This arrangement is particularly advantageous because the returns are then in abutment against the transverse walls and, in the deployed position, their edge abuts against the hinges of the second flaps. The transfer of loads between the handle and the body is thus provided without deformation of the closing flaps of the latter when the body is suspended by the handle during manual transport. In addition, this panel whose grooves are vertical improves the performance RCV (resistance in vertical compression) of the body by its doubled length and the dihedron ends.

According to a particular embodiment, the panel comprises two plates against each other, the two plates each comprising two returns at right angles.

According to another embodiment the panel is formed of a single plate with a return on each side.

According to another aspect of the invention the package also fulfills the bottle dispensing function.

Thus according to another characteristic, the belt of the body comprises a detachable portion, releasing a dispensing opening bottles.

Preferably the dispensing opening released by the detachable portion is shaped to distribute the bottles parallel to the panel. In this case the panel is preferably formed of a single plate.

According to one embodiment the detachable portion extends on either side of an edge of the belt of the box parallel to said panel with handle.

According to another feature the belt of the body comprises a portion detachable in part to form a wedge of elevation of the part of the belt away from the detachable portion. This feature allows to tilt the box towards the dispensing opening and facilitate the gripping of the bottles.

• La figure 1 montre une caisse ouverte contenant des bouteilles ;
• La figure 2 montre la plaque constituant la poignée à plat ;
• La figure 3 montre la poignée au dessus de la caisse ouverte avant sa mise en place dans la caisse ;
• La figure 4 montre la caisse en phase de fermeture des rabats ;
• La figure 5 montre la caisse fermée, la poignée étant escamotée.
• La figure 6 montre la caisse poignée déployée prête à être prise en main.
• La figure 7 montre la caisse avec une ligne de prédécoupe définissant une portion détachable de la ceinture ;
• La figure 8 montre la caisse dont on a détaché la portion détachable, une bouteille étant visible ;
• La figure 9 montre la caisse avec une découpe permettant de réaliser une cale pour l'incliner pendant la distribution.

Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the package according to the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• The figure 1 shows an open crate containing bottles;
• The figure 2 shows the plate forming the handle flat;
• The figure 3 shows the handle above the open crate before it is put into the crate;
• The figure 4 shows the box in the closing phase of the flaps;
• The figure 5 shows the box closed, the handle being retracted.
• The figure 6 shows the box handle deployed ready to be taken in hand.
• The figure 7 shows the box with a precut line defining a detachable portion of the belt;
• The figure 8 shows the box from which the detachable portion has been detached, a bottle being visible;
• The figure 9 shows the crate with a cutout to make a shim to tilt it during distribution.

Box 1 of the figure 1 is made in a conventional manner for example by placing a volume of a cardboard plate suitably grooved and cut. It comprises a belt 2. The bottom of the box is not visible is any, for example of the American box type with four flaps folded over each other and stapled or glued together. The upper side is opened here and allows the loading of articles in the box. We see in this example bottles standing on the bottom and parallel to the walls of the belt. The bottles are arranged in two rows.

To close the box we see two first flaps 3 and 4 articulated on the upper edge of the box. They are arranged on the opposite sides the longest in this embodiment but it is not an obligation. The first flaps each comprise a flap 31 and 41 respectively which is the simple extension of the flap to its free edge and folded along a fold line called creasing. There is a central opening 32 and 42 respectively straddling the fold line.

The two second flaps 5 and 6 adjacent to the first two are articulated on the edges of the other two sides of the belt 2. They have a slot 51 and 61 perpendicular to their hinge line and median. The slots widen at 52 and 62 respectively to their free edge. The invention also includes variants within the reach of those skilled in the art.

The figure 2 represents a panel 10 consisting of two half-plates 10a and 10'a. The half plates are connected along a fold line. Each plate comprises along the edges perpendicular to the fold line, two shutters forming returns 10r and 10'r respectively. These returns extend from the opposite edge of the fold line to a distance less than that separating the edge opposite the fold line to the fold line. Openings 10b and 10'b respectively are cut near the fold line.

Referring to the figure 3 we see the panel in position to be put in place. The two half plates were folded one on the other. The returns 10r and 10'r are erected at right angles to the two half-plates 10a and 10'a. The openings 10b and 10'b are in the part of the plates above the returns below the fold line which constitutes the upper edge of the panel.

The panel is seen above the body 1, open and loaded bottles. The width of the panel 10 is the same as that of the longitudinal flap 3. The returns 10r and 10'r are at right angles to the panel and are slid along the inner faces of the lateral transverse walls of the belt 2. The panel forms partition wall between the two rows of bottles. Its height is at most equal to that of the belt.

The following steps consist in folding the flaps 5 and 6 first and then the flaps 3 and 4 thereon. The flaps 31 and 41 are slid in the slots 51 and 61. It is seen on the figure 4 that the flap 4 has been folded over the flaps 5 and 6 its flap 41 already engaged in the slots of the flaps 5 and 6. The flap 3 has not yet been folded on the previous flaps. The panel 10 is not visible; he is fully pushed into the box.

The figure 5 shows the closed box ready to be shipped. On the upper face is observed the opening defined by the cutouts 32 and 42 made in the flaps 3 and 4 respectively. This opening is partitioned by the panel 10. This arrangement shows that the body externally has the same volume as a box without handle.

The figure 6 shows the crate whose handle has been deployed. To slide the panel from the outside just slide the fingers into the opening on the top, pinch the panel and pull it up. The output height of the panel is a function of the height of the returns, until they abut against the inner face of the flaps 5 and 6. As the returns 10r are pressed against the walls of the belt, their contact with flaps 5 and 6 are along the hinge. Thus, when the body is raised by sliding the hand in the opening 10b, and pulling it upwards, the weight of the body and its contents is transmitted to the panel 10 by the line of contact of the edges of the returns with the hinge between the flaps 5 and 6 and the belt 2. This arrangement is advantageous because the body undergoes no deformation and the strength of the materials is used at best. The flutes of the cardboard plates are preferably oriented in the vertical direction to take advantage of their contribution to the strength of the cardboard in this direction.

The figure 7 shows a variant of the box at an angle that allows to see the precut line 31 of a portion 2 'of the belt. The precut line is made for example with a succession of notches that weaken the carton and allow cutting the carton along this line by simply pulling the portion 2 '. By this precut line this portion 2 'is detachable to release a dispensing opening in the belt. This detachable portion extends over two faces of the belt 2 and their two adjacent bottom and top walls. Other precut lines are possible.

In this application the panel is preferably formed of a single plate with a flap on each side only. There is thus an inner panel comprising a plate with two dihedral dihedral dihedral, the dihedron being arranged so as not to close the opening released by the removal of the precut and do not hide the bottle. This flap of the dihedron is bent down preferably.

We see on the figure 8 the body lying on one side and from which the detachable portion and the access to the bottles available through the dispensing opening have been removed. We also see a bottle resting on the panel 10 which allows a sequential distribution of the bottles ensuring their guidance to the dispensing opening; first the upper floor and then the lower floor. To access the bottles of the lower layer, we must first remove the panel 10. This is possible and easy. Just extract it through the dispensing opening.

In order to facilitate the sliding of the bottles towards the opening, one can note the part opposite to the opening. This is easily achieved by a shim which is formed from a portion 2 "detachable at least partially from the belt. figure 9 the portion 2 "is partially precut in the belt.While rolling this portion of the belt is created a wedge attached to the belt.The wedge is chosen to give the desired inclination to the package.

We briefly recall how the box is used. After having put in volume one loads the bottles or any other equivalent article. We put up the panel 10 and closes the shutters. The panel is retracted in the box. The end user pulls the panel through the aperture 32 and 42 until it comes to a stop. After transportation, the crate is placed in the refrigerator after sliding the panel into the crate. The rear wedge of the belt is folded to tilt the distribution box. Pull on the detachable portion to clear the opening.

According to a variant not shown, the upper flaps do not include reentrant flaps. They are held against the second flaps by gluing or stapling.

Claims (8)

1. Packaging, made of cardboard or another semi-rigid material, comprising a box (1) having a parallelepiped band (2), a base and an opening opposite the base which can be closed by four flaps: two first flaps (3, 4) opposite one another, two second flaps (5, 6) adjacent to the first flaps, the second flaps (5, 6) each comprising a slot (51, 61) which is perpendicular to the line of articulation of said flaps, the opening being closed by folding the first flaps onto the second flaps which have already been folded in, comprising a retractable handle arranged on a panel (10) which slides in the space between the two first flaps in said slots (51, 61), between a position retracted into the interior of the band and a deployed position partially outside the band, characterised in that the first flaps (3, 4) comprise strips (31, 41) which cooperate with the slots (51, 61) of said second flaps (5, 6) to hold the first flaps against the second flaps, a central opening (32, 42) being arranged on the first flaps (3, 4) so as to straddle the folding lines of the strips (31, 41), and the slots (51 and 61) being enlarged (52, 62) towards the free edge of the second strips so as to allow a hand to be slid into the handle of the sliding panel and to pull thereon, shoulders being formed on the sliding panel (10), forming an angle therewith and abutting said flaps when the panel is in the deployed position, the width of the sliding panel being substantially identical to the width of the first flaps, and the shoulders resting against the sides of the band.
2. Packaging according to claim 1, wherein the sliding panel comprises a shoulder on each side.
3. Packaging according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sliding panel comprises two mutually opposed plates, the two plates each having two right-angled shoulders.
4. Packaging according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sliding panel also performs the function of distributing bottles.
5. Packaging according to claim 4, wherein the band of the box comprises a detachable portion, which exposes an opening for distributing bottles.
6. Packaging according to claim 5, wherein the distribution opening exposed by the detachable portion is of a shape adapted for distributing the bottles parallel to the sliding panel.
7. Packaging according to either claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the detachable portion extends on both sides of a ridge of the band of the box parallel to said sliding panel comprising a handle.
8. Packaging according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the band of the box comprises a portion which is detachable in part to form a wedge for elevating the part of the band which is remote from the detachable portion.

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