EP2072408A1 - Pre-cut flong for making a packaging element with reinforced bottom - Google Patents

Abstract

The blank (2) has a bottom panel (5) edged of side panels (6, 7, 10, 11) that are connected to the bottom panel by folding lines (8, 9, 13, 14). The side panel (7) is connected to a back panel (16) by a folding line (21) that is parallel to the folding line (9) between the bottom panel and the side panel (7) prolonged by the back panel. A counter panel (30) is integrated with the back panel by a weakened connection area (31) and folded along a folding line (35) passing through the connection area to be fixed to the bottom panel. An independent claim is also included for a packing element comprising a bottom panel on which a counter panel is fixed and connected to the bottom panel by a back panel extended by one of lateral panels.

Description

The present invention relates to the technical field of packaging and more particularly relates to packaging and packaging elements intended to form in particular a lid or a packaging body adapted to cooperate by interlocking with another packaging element or packaging, including a packaging body or a lid respectively, of complementary shape to form a complete package suitable for packaging but also the presentation of various consumer products, food or otherwise.

Such packages consisting of two complementary shaped and nestable packaging elements are used in particular for the packaging of confectionery such as chocolates, or for the packaging of clothing.

The invention relates, more specifically, to a packaging element adapted to form a lid or a packaging body of the type explained above which is made from at least one pre-cut raw material blank and then mounted by folding. to form the packaging element itself.

As a preferred application, the invention relates to packagings with two unitary elements made from cardboard blanks, preferably compact, without this precision excluding corrugated cardboard or similar products, such as sheets of plastic material, laminated or not.

In the technical field above, and particularly for the manufacture of boxes and boxes with two nestable elements for the packaging of confectionery such as chocolates, it is imperative that the bottom of the nestable elements of the packaging, which are in In this case, the packaging body and its lid are as rigid as possible in order to avoid as much as possible a crushing of these elements which could cause crushing and damage to the products packaged in the packaging.

To do this, various technical solutions are known to date. In the first place, it is known to stick on the bottom panel of the lid, a reinforcement panel independent of the bottom panel. However, the automated manufacture of such covers is relatively complex to implement and requires the use of specific automatic machines relatively expensive and complex.

It is also known to use rather than a glued reinforcement panel, a board of paper or corrugated cardboard of great thickness, interposed between the bottom panel and the products to be packaged in this package. This solution is unsatisfactory in practice because it does not provide a good stiffening of the lid.

The object of the invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art by proposing a new technique for producing a bottom panel of a lid or a packaging body, this technique of manufacturing that can be easily automated while allowing to stiffen properly the bottom panel.

In order to achieve this objective, the invention relates to a pre-cut blank for the production of a packaging element such as a lid or a box, the blank having a bottom panel lined with side panels which are connected to the panel at the bottom by fold lines, at least one side panel being connected to a return panel by a fold line which is parallel to the fold line between the bottom panel and the side panel extended by the return panel , characterized in that it comprises a counter-panel secured to a return panel by a weakened connection zone, the against-panel being intended to be folded along a fold line passing through the connection zone, to be attached to the bottom panel.

According to an alternative embodiment, the weakened connection zone comprises secant cuts with the fold line.

According to another variant embodiment, the weakened connection zone comprises cut-out cuts delimiting connection bridges between the counter-panel and the return panel.

Advantageously, the return panel connected to the backboard has a width less than the width of the side panel to which it is connected, so that the connection zone overlaps, when the backboard is fixed on the bottom panel, the folding line located between the bottom panel and the side panel connected to said return panel.

According to another characteristic of the subject of the invention, the counter-panel has in the direction of its fold line, a height less than the height of the bottom panel to allow the mounting of a counter-fixing panel on the bottom panel, this counter-fixing panel being connected by a fold line a return panel which is connected by a fold line perpendicular to the fold line of the against-panel.

For example, the fold line between the backing panel and the return panel is provided with cutouts.

According to another embodiment, two neighboring side panels are interconnected by two flaps connected by a fold line allowing them to fold against one another so as to be clad between a side panel and a panel of return which is provided on both sides, locking tabs with neighboring return panels.

Advantageously, each locking tab of a return panel is intended to fit into the cutout of a return panel.

Another object of the invention is to propose a packaging element, in particular a lid or a box, obtained by folding a pre-cut blank according to the invention, said element comprising a bottom panel on which is fixed against -panel connected to the bottom panel by a return panel extended by a side panel, the return panel being connected to the against-panel by a weakened connection zone and through which passes the fold line between the against-panel and the return sign.

Of course, the different characteristics of the packaging element according to the invention can be combined with each other in different combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible.

Various other characteristics of the invention will emerge from the description below made with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate various non-limiting examples of packaging cases according to the invention and blanks making it possible to obtain them.

The Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a packaging element according to the invention.

The Fig. 2 is a flat view of a pre-cut blank for the realization of a packaging element according to the invention.

The Fig. 3 to 5 are perspective views showing different characteristic phases of embodiment of a packaging element according to the invention.

The Fig. 6 is a view of a characteristic detail, referenced VI, of the packaging element according to the invention, illustrated in FIG. Fig. 5 .

A packaging element according to the invention as illustrated in FIG. Fig. 1 and designated as a whole by the reference 1 is intended to constitute a box, or preferably a lid adapted to cooperate by interlocking with another complementary packaging element, namely respectively a lid or a box, to form a product packaging various. In the illustrated example, the packaging element 1 has a rectangular shape, although another shape can also be envisaged, such as a triangular or octagonal shape for example.

The packing element 1 is obtained from a pre-cut blank 2 as shown flat at the Fig. 2 , Made preferably, but not exclusively, from compact cardboard. The blank 2 comprises, as will be described in the following description, a number of panels, flaps and legs articulated to each other by fold lines, shown schematically by broken lines or dotted lines, while the cutting lines. and contours panels, shutters and tabs or the like are illustrated in solid or solid lines.

According to the variant embodiment considered, the packaging element 1 has a generally rectangular shape having, in the example shown, two so-called longitudinal opposite sides 3 and two so-called opposite transverse sides 4 extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal sides 3.

As is more particularly apparent from the Fig. 2 , the blank 2 comprises a bottom panel 5 having, in the example shown, a rectangular shape. The bottom panel 5 is bordered, along the two opposite longitudinal sides 3, by side panels 6 and 7 separated from the bottom panel 5 by fold lines 8 and 9 respectively extending parallel to each other. The bottom panel 5 is bordered along the two transverse sides 4, by side panels 10 and 11 separated from the bottom panel 5, by fold lines 13 and 14 respectively which are parallel to each other but perpendicular to the fold lines 8 and 9.

At least one, and in the example shown, the four side panels 6, 7, 10 and 11 are each extended by a return panel 15, 16, 17 and 18 respectively which is connected to the side panel which the borde, by a fold line respectively 20, 21, 22, 23. Thus, the fold lines 20 and 21 of the return panels 15, 16 of the longitudinal sides 3 are parallel to each other and parallel to the fold lines 8 and 9, while the folding lines 22 and 23 of the return panels 17, 18 of the transverse sides 4 are parallel to each other and parallel to the fold lines 13 and 14.

According to a feature of the subject of the invention, at least one, namely the return panel 16 in the illustrated example, is secured to a counter-panel 30 to be fixed after folding, against the panel 5. The counter-panel 30 extends the return panel 16 to which it is attached by a connection zone 31 weakened essentially by cuts. In the example shown, the connection zone 31 has a series rectangular cutouts 32 making it possible to remove material in order to leave between them zones or connecting bridges 33 between the counter-panel 30 and the return panel 16. In the example illustrated, the connection zone 31 comprises five bridges 33 distributed along the return panel 16 extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fold line 21. The connecting bridges 33 have a limited width adapted to allow the mechanical strength between the against panel 30 and the connecting panel 16. It appears from the illustrated variant that the cumulative height of the connecting bridges 33 has a height less than half the height of the return panel 16. The counter-panel 30 is intended to be fixed on the bottom panel 5 being folded along a fold line 35 parallel to the fold lines 9 and 21 and which passes through the weakened connection zone 31. In other words, the fold line 35 is arranged on each one of the connecting bridges 33 in a common direction parallel to the fold lines 9 and 21. According to a feature of the invention which will be better understood in the following description, the distance between the fold lines 9 and 21 is equal to the distance between the folding lines 21 and 35.

According to an alternative embodiment, the counter-panel 30 has, according to its fold line, a height h less than the height of the bottom panel 5, which is delimited between the fold lines 13 and 14 of the transverse sides 4. The difference height between the cons-panel 30 and the bottom panel 5 allows to leave a mounting area for a counter-fixing panel 40, 41 respectively extending a return panel 17 and 18 of the transverse sides 4. Thus, each panel 17 and 18 of the transverse sides is connected to a counter-fixing panel respectively 40 and 41 by a fold line respectively 42 and 43 parallel to the fold lines 22 and 23 .

According to a preferred embodiment, each fold line 42 and 43 separating a return panel 17, 18 and a counter-fixing panel 40 and 41 is provided with cutouts 44.

According to an alternative embodiment, the side panels 6, 7, 10, 11 are interconnected at each corner, by a pair of flaps 50 and 51 interconnected by a fold line 53 to confer to each of them, a triangular general shape. Each side panel 6, 7 of the longitudinal sides 3 is thus extended on both sides, beyond the fold lines 13, 14 by a flap 51, while each side panel 10, 11 of the transverse sides 4 is extended on both sides, beyond the fold lines 8, 9, by a flap 50 which is connected to the flap 51 by the fold line 53 which extends from each corner of the bottom panel 5.

These two flaps 50 and 51 are intended to be folded against each other along their fold line 53 directed towards the bottom panel 5, so as to constitute a kind of re-entrant bellows adapted to be inserted between a panel side 10 and 11 of the transverse sides and a return panel 17 and 18 of the transverse sides 4.

According to another characteristic of the subject of the invention, each return panel 17 and 18 of the transverse sides 4 comprises, on either side, a locking tab 55 projecting from the fold lines 8 and 9. According to the illustrated example, each locking tab 55 has a triangular shape complementary to a clearance or a cutout 57 formed on the return panels 15 and 16 of the longitudinal sides. Thus, each return panel 15, 16 of the longitudinal sides 3 has on both sides and below fold lines 13, 14, a cutout 57.

The shaping of the packaging element 1 from the blank 2 described below follows directly from the foregoing description.

The counter-panel 30 is intended to be fixed by gluing on the bottom panel 5. For this purpose, and as is apparent from the Fig. 3 , the return panel 16 and the cons-panel 30 are folded around the fold line 21 to ensure their folding against respectively the side panel 7 and the bottom panel 5. The return panel 16 is thus plated against the side panel 7 while the counter panel 30 is pressed against the bottom panel 5 ( Fig. 4 ). In this position, the connecting zone 31 overlaps the folding line 9. For this purpose, the width of the return panel 16 is smaller than the width of the side panel 7 and the width of the back panel 30 is also smaller than the width of the side panel 7. width of the bottom panel 5 considered between the fold lines 8, 9. In this position, the fold line 35 of the connecting zone 31 is in superimposed position relative to the fold line 9 separating the bottom panel 5 and the side panel 7 ( Fig. 5 and 6 ). Insofar as the connecting zone 31 between the backboard 30 and the return panel 16 is limited to the connecting bridges 33, the straightening of the side panel 7 does not lead to a spring effect between the return panel 16 and against the panel 30. Preferably, the two return panels 15 and 16 of the longitudinal sides are fixed by gluing to the side panels respectively 6 and 7. It should be noted that the connecting zone 31 which overlaps the bottom panel 5 and the side panel 7 is not attached to the bottom panel 5 and side 7. in other words, the connecting bridges 33 are not fastened or glued to the bottom panel 5 and the side panel 7.

Keeping the panels of the longitudinal sides 3 in the raised position is ensured by the raising of the transverse sides 4. For this purpose, the connecting flaps 50 and 51 are folded against each other to be retracted or inserted between, d ' on the one hand, the side panels 10, 11, transverse sides, folded respectively along the lines 13 and 14, and, on the other hand, the return panels 17 and 18 folded against the side panels 10 and 11 respectively, folded along their fold lines, respectively 22 and 23. Thus, each return panel 17 and 18 covers the two pairs of connecting flaps 50 and 51 in the folded position. The final assembly is ensured by the engagement of the locking tabs 55, in the clearances 57 of the return panels and the bearing of the counter-fixing panel 40, 41 against the bottom panel 5. Each counter panel fixation 40, 41 is thus in support against the edge of the counter panel 30. These counter-fixing panels 40 and 41 are held in abutment against the backboard 30 by means of the connecting flaps 50, 51 exerting a similar spring-like return effect. This support is maintained while maintaining, thanks to the cuts 44, a suitable veneer of the return panels 17, 18 against, respectively, the side panels 10, 11.

In the embodiment described above, the connection zone 31 between the backboard 30 and the bottom panel 5 is weakened by cuts that have removed the material. Of course, it may be envisaged to weaken the connection zone 31 by a series of cuts made for example perpendicularly to the fold line 35 to form lines of scarification or material reduction.

Claims (9)

Pre-cut blank for the production of a packaging element such as a lid or a box, the blank comprising a bottom panel ( 5 ) bordered by the side panels (6, 7, 10, 11) which are connected to the panel at the bottom by fold lines ( 8,9,13,14 ), at least one side panel ( 7 ) being connected to a return panel ( 16 ) by a fold line ( 21 ) which is parallel to the line folding ( 9 ) between the bottom panel ( 5 ) and the side panel ( 7 ) extended by the return panel, characterized in that it comprises a counter-panel ( 30 ) integral with a return panel ( 16 ) by a weakened connection zone ( 31 ), the counter-panel ( 30 ) being intended to be folded along a fold line ( 35 ) passing through the connection zone, in order to be fixed to the bottom panel . Pre-cut blank according to claim 1, characterized in that the weakened connection zone ( 31 ) has intersecting cuts with the fold line ( 35 ). Pre-cut blank according to claim 1, characterized in that the weakened connection zone ( 31 ) comprises cutouts ( 32 ) for removing material delimiting connecting bridges ( 33 ) between the counter panel ( 30 ) and the panel of return ( 16 ). Pre-cut blank according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the return panel ( 16 ) connected to the backboard ( 30 ) has a width less than the width of the side panel ( 7 ) to which it is connected, so that the connecting zone ( 31 ) overlaps, when the counter panel is fixed to the bottom panel, the fold line ( 9 ) located between the bottom panel ( 5 ) and the connected side panel ( 7 ) auditing back panel ( 16 ). Pre-cut blank according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the counter panel ( 30 ) has, in the direction of its fold line, a height less than the height of the bottom panel ( 5 ) to allow assembly a counter-fixing panel ( 40,41 ) on the bottom panel, this counter-fixing panel ( 40, 41 ) being connected by a folding line ( 42, 43 ) to a return panel ( 17, 18 ) which is connected by a fold line ( 42, 43 ) perpendicular to the fold line ( 35 ) of the counter panel ( 30 ). Pre-cut blank according to claim 5, characterized in that the folding line ( 42,43 ) between the counter-fixing panel ( 40,41 ) and the return panel ( 17,18 ) is provided with cut-outs ( 44 ). Pre-cut blank according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that two adjacent side panels are interconnected by two flaps ( 50, 51 ) connected by a fold line ( 53 ) allowing them to be folded against one another. other for being pressed between a side panel ( 10, 11 ) and a return panel ( 17, 18 ) which is provided on either side with locking tabs ( 55 ) with the return panels neighbors ( 15, 16 ). Pre-cut blank according to claim 7, characterized in that each locking tab ( 55 ) of a return panel ( 17, 18 ) is intended to be inserted into the cutout ( 57 ) of a return panel ( 15, 16 ). Packaging element, in particular a lid or a box, characterized in that it is obtained by folding a pre-cut blank ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8, said element ( 1 ) comprising a panel of base ( 5 ) to which is attached a counter panel ( 30 ) connected to the bottom panel by a return panel ( 16 ) extended by a side panel ( 7 ), the return panel ( 16 ) being connected to the counter panel ( 30 ) by a weakened connection zone ( 31 ) and through which the fold line ( 35 ) passes between the counter panel ( 30 ) and the return panel ( 16 ).

Images