EP3070016B1 - Packaging and blank having an improved setting element - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the field of packaging and more particularly the field of packaging obtained from a single blank, pre-cut and folded from a sheet of material, in particular from a sheet of cardboard.

Such packages are very widely used in many fields for packaging products, for example cosmetics or perfumery products. These products may for example be containers, especially tubes, flasks, etc. Such containers contain substances that may be in the form of fluids, pastes, powders, granules, etc.

Of course, it is known to produce closed cases in which a peripheral envelope defines an outer envelope and is provided with closure flaps which are articulated to one of the peripheral panels by a transverse fold line. Such closure flaps may be provided at one and the other of the longitudinal ends of the outer peripheral envelope. Such closure flaps have a shape corresponding to the shape of the closed contour of the outer peripheral envelope and, once folded, often at 90 °, they respectively close the interior space longitudinally to one and the other both ends of the interior space.

Packages are known which comprise an outer peripheral envelope, and a wedging element comprising an internal peripheral cushioning envelope, the wedging element providing a wedging in the two directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

In some known packages, the wedging element is made independently of the outer envelope and is introduced into it after it has been assembled.

In other packages, the outer shell and the wedging element are both obtained from the same single blank pre-cut and folded from a sheet of material.

Each peripheral envelope is formed of at least three peripheral panels articulated successively to one another around longitudinal fold lines which extend in the longitudinal direction, parallel to each other. The fold lines define longitudinal sides of the peripheral panels. Each peripheral envelope is closed on itself to define a closed contour around an interior space in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fold lines. Generally, at least one of the extreme peripheral panels is provided with an assembly flap, also articulated to the end peripheral panel by a longitudinal fold line, to be pressed against an inner or outer face of the other extreme peripheral panel to achieve an assembly, for example by gluing, to form the peripheral envelope. The interior space defined by such a peripheral envelope is closed in at least two directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The outer peripheral panels are included in one portion of the blank, while another portion of the blank comprises the main peripheral panels of the wedging element. The two portions of the blank are connected to each other for example by a connecting panel.

Generally, the wedging element has as many main panels as there are external peripheral panels in the outer envelope. Preferably, support lugs are provided between the outer casing and the main casing of the wedging element to maintain a relative position between the two casings, in the two transverse directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. It is understood that a package comprising both an outer envelope and a wedging element, obtained from the same single blank, is already a complex object, both in its design and in its manufacture by folding and assembling the single blank .

But it is generally still necessary to provide means to ensure the longitudinal locking of the product in the outer peripheral envelope, in at least one direction in the longitudinal direction. However, in known packages in which the outer shell and the wedging element are obtained from the same single blank of material, the element of wedging ensures only the wedging in the directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

In any case, it will be understood that the setting of the product in the packaging, in the longitudinal direction, remains to be improved, both from the point of view of the design of the package, and from the point of view of the manufacture of the packaging and from the point of view of the packaging operation during which the product to be packaged is introduced into the package.

The document DE-20.2011.106.417 describes a packaging system comprising an outer casing and an internal protection element, separated from the outer casing and intended to be assembled by gluing. The documents US-975121 and US 2828902 describe other packaging systems.

The invention therefore aims to propose a new design of a package, and a blank to obtain this package that provides a solution to at least some aspects of this issue of wedging in the longitudinal direction.

To achieve such an objective, the invention proposes a package obtained from a single blank, pre-cut and folded from a sheet of material, the type comprises an outer casing formed of at least three external panels articulated successively l to one another about longitudinal fold lines which extend parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction, the fold lines define longitudinal sides of the outer panels, the outer envelope being closed over it; even to define a closed contour around an interior space in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The packaging comprises a wedging element comprising a main envelope comprising at least three main panels successively articulated to one another around longitudinal fold lines which extend parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction, the fold lines defining longitudinal sides of the panels, the main envelope being closed on itself to define a closed contour around an interior space of the wedging element in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

• un bandeau d'extrémité comportant autant de panneaux d'extrémités que le nombre de panneaux principaux de l'élément de calage, articulés successivement l'un à l'autre autour de lignes de pliages agencées dans l'alignement des lignes de pliage des panneaux principaux, le bandeau d'extrémité étant refermé sur lui-même pour définir un contour fermé autour d'un espace intérieur de l'élément de calage dans un plan transversal perpendiculaire à la direction longitudinale;
• pour au moins deux panneaux principaux distincts, au moins une patte de liaison longitudinale qui relie le panneau principal à un panneau d'extrémité correspondant, et la patte de liaison d'un panneau principal étant distincte de la ou les pattes de liaison des autres panneaux principaux, les pattes de liaison étant séparées l'une de l'autre transversalement par une découpe de séparation dans la feuille de matériau.

The wedging element according to the invention comprises, at at least one longitudinal end, an end wedging device having one and / or the following additional characteristics:

• an end strip comprising as many end panels as the number of main panels of the wedging element, articulated successively to one another around fold lines arranged in alignment with the fold lines of the panels main, the end strip being closed on itself to define a closed contour around an inner space of the wedging element in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction;
• for at least two separate main panels, at least one longitudinal connecting lug which connects the main panel to a corresponding end panel, and the connecting lug of a main panel being distinct from the one or more connecting lugs of the other panels main, the connecting tabs being separated from each other transversely by a separating blank in the sheet of material.

Each connecting lug comprises an intermediate transverse folding line which delimits a main portion and an end portion of the connecting lug, respectively attached to the corresponding main panel and to the end panel, so as to bring the band of end of the main casing by folding the two parts of the connecting lug on themselves around the intermediate fold line.

• le dispositif de calage d'extrémité peut être déplacé de manière réversible, entre au moins une position longitudinale étendue vers l'extérieur et une position longitudinale rapprochée vers l'intérieur dans laquelle un bord transversal d'extrémité du dispositif de calage d'extrémité est reçu à l'intérieur de l'espace intérieur délimité par l'enveloppe externe, en retrait longitudinalement vers l'intérieur par rapport à un bord d'extrémité longitudinale de l'emballage défini par des bords transversaux d'extrémité des panneaux externes de l'enveloppe externe ;
• dans la position étendue du dispositif de calage d'extrémité, le bord transversal d'extrémité du dispositif de calage d'extrémité dépasse à l'extérieur de l'espace intérieur délimité par l'enveloppe externe, en débord longitudinalement vers l'extérieur par rapport au bord d'extrémité longitudinale de l'emballage défini par les bords transversaux d'extrémité des panneaux externes de l'enveloppe externe ;
• au moins à l'extrémité longitudinale munie du dispositif de calage d'extrémité, un dispositif de fermeture comportant au moins un volet de fermeture qui est articulé sur un bord transversal d'un panneau externe et qui coopère, dans une position de fermeture de l'emballage, avec le dispositif de calage d'extrémité pour le maintenir dans sa position rapprochée ;
• le dispositif de calage d'extrémité est un dispositif tri-articulé dans lequel la partie principale et la partie d'extrémité des pattes de liaison sont toutes les deux articulées respectivement au panneau principal et au panneau d'extrémité correspondant par des lignes respectives de pliage transversale pré-marquées ;
• la longueur de la partie principale, respectivement de la partie d'extrémité, des pattes de liaison, définies comme étant la plus courte distance entre la ligne de pliage intermédiaire et la ligne de pliage transversale pré-marquée de rattachement au panneau principal, respectivement au panneau d'extrémité, sont toutes les deux inférieures à la moitié de la dimension maximale de l'espace intérieur de l'élément de calage selon une direction transversale perpendiculaire au panneau principal correspondant ;
• le dispositif de calage d'extrémité est un dispositif tri-articulé, et la longueur de la partie principale d'une patte de liaison, définie comme étant la plus courte distance entre la ligne de pliage intermédiaire et la ligne de pliage transversale pré-marquée de rattachement au panneau principal, est inférieure à la longueur de la partie d'extrémité de ladite patte de liaison, définie comme étant la plus courte distance entre la ligne de pliage intermédiaire et la ligne de pliage transversale pré-marquée de rattachement au panneau d'extrémité ;
• la longueur de la partie principale d'une patte de liaison est inférieure de 5 à 20 pourcents à la longueur de la partie d'extrémité de ladite patte de liaison ;
• le dispositif de calage d'extrémité est un dispositif bi-articulé, dans lequel la partie principale des pattes de liaison est rattachée au panneau principal correspondant par une ligne de pliage transversale pré-marquée, tandis que la partie d'extrémité des pattes de liaison est rattachée au panneau d'extrémité correspondant par une zone de flexion dépourvue de ligne transversale de pliage pré-marquée ;
• entre deux pattes de liaisons adjacentes correspondant à deux panneaux principaux adjacents, la découpe de séparation entre deux pattes est agencée sous la forme d'un ajourage, de telle sorte, repliées chacune à 90 degrés vers l'espace intérieur par rapport au panneau principal auquel la patte de liaison est rattachée, les parties principales des deux pattes de liaisons adjacentes n'ont pas de recouvrement ;
• les pattes de liaison présentent chacune une partie principale dont la géométrie lui permet d'être reçue, repliée à 90° vers l'espace intérieur par rapport au panneau principal auquel la patte de liaison est rattachée, sans contacter les panneaux principaux adjacents au panneau principal auquel la patte de liaison est rattachée ;
• l'emballage comporte deux dispositifs de calage d'extrémité dont l'un est rattaché à une des deux extrémités longitudinales de son élément de calage, et dont l'autre est rattaché à l'autre des deux extrémités longitudinales de son élément de calage ;
• l'emballage comporte un dispositif de calage d'extrémité tri-articulé à chacune des deux extrémités longitudinales de l'élément de calage, et l'enveloppe externe comporte, à chaque extrémité longitudinale, un dispositif de fermeture, dont chacun comporte au moins un volet de fermeture qui est articulé sur un bord transversal d'un panneau externe et qui coopère, dans une position de fermeture de l'emballage, respectivement avec le dispositif de calage d'extrémité tri-articulé correspondant pour le maintenir dans sa position rapprochée ;
• l'emballage comporte, à une extrémité longitudinale de son élément de calage, un dispositif de calage tri-articulé et, à l'autre extrémité de son élément de calage, un dispositif de calage bi-articulé ;
• l'élément de calage est relié à l'enveloppe externe par un panneau de liaison qui est articulé à un panneau externe de l'enveloppe externe le long d'un côté longitudinal de celui-ci, et qui est articulé à un panneau principal de l'élément de calage le long d'un côté longitudinal de celui-ci ;
• le panneau de liaison reliant l'enveloppe externe et l'élément de calage possède une dimension transversale qui engendre un décalage angulaire entre les panneaux principaux de l'élément de calage et les panneaux externes de l'enveloppe externe ;
• l'élément de calage comporte des pattes d'appui qui s'étendent selon une ou plusieurs directions transversales et qui sont chacune en contact avec une face interne d'un panneau externe de l'enveloppe externe pour maintenir au moins un des panneaux principaux de l'élément de calage écarté dudit panneau externe de l'enveloppe externe ;
• l'emballage est réalisé en une seule pièce à partir d'un flan unique de carton dont le grammage est supérieur ou égal 180 g/m2, et inférieur ou égal à 2000 g/m2.

According to other features, optional, of the invention, taken separately or in combination:

• the end wedging device can be reversibly moved between at least one outward extended longitudinal position and an inwardly extended longitudinal position in wherein a transverse end edge of the endstop is received within the interior space delimited by the outer shell, recessed longitudinally inwardly with respect to a longitudinal end edge of the packaging defined by transverse end edges of the outer panels of the outer casing;
• in the extended position of the endstop, the transverse end edge of the endstop protrusion protrudes outwardly of the interior space bounded by the outer shell, protruding longitudinally outwardly by relative to the longitudinal end edge of the package defined by the transverse end edges of the outer panels of the outer envelope;
• at least at the longitudinal end provided with the end stopping device, a closure device comprising at least one closure flap which is articulated on a transverse edge of an outer panel and which cooperates, in a closed position of the packaging, with the endstop device to maintain it in its close position;
• the endstop is a tri-articulated device in which the main part and the end part of the connecting tabs are both hinged respectively to the main panel and the corresponding end panel by respective fold lines pre-marked transverse;
• the length of the main portion, respectively of the end portion, of the connecting lugs, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line and the pre-marked transversal fold line of attachment to the main panel, respectively to the end panel, are both less than half the maximum dimension of the inner space of the wedging element in a transverse direction perpendicular to the corresponding main panel;
• the end wedging device is a tri-articulated device, and the length of the main portion of a connecting leg, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line and the pre-marked transverse fold line of attachment to the main panel is less than the length of the end portion of said link leg, defined as the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line and the pre-marked transverse fold line of attachment to the end panel;
• the length of the main portion of a connecting lug is 5 to 20 percent less than the length of the end portion of said connecting lug;
• the endstop device is a bi-articulated device, in which the main part of the connecting tabs is attached to the corresponding main panel by a pre-marked transverse fold line, while the end part of the connecting tabs is attached to the corresponding end panel by a bending zone devoid of pre-marked folding cross line;
• between two adjacent link tabs corresponding to two adjacent main panels, the separating cut-out between two tabs is arranged in the form of an openwork, so that each is bent 90 degrees towards the inner space with respect to the main panel to which the connecting leg is attached, the main parts of the two adjacent link tabs have no overlap;
• the connecting tabs each have a main part whose geometry allows it to be received, folded at 90 ° to the inner space with respect to the main panel to which the connecting tab is attached, without contacting the main panels adjacent to the main panel to which the connecting leg is attached;
• the packaging comprises two end-setting devices, one of which is attached to one of the two longitudinal ends of its wedging element, and the other of which is attached to the other of the two longitudinal ends of its wedging element;
• the package comprises a tri-articulated end setting device at each of the two longitudinal ends of the wedging element, and the outer envelope comprises, at each longitudinal end, a closing device, each of which comprises at least one closure flap which is articulated on a transverse edge of an outer panel and which cooperates, in a closed position of the package respectively with the corresponding tri-articulated end wedging device to maintain it in its close position;
• the packaging comprises, at one longitudinal end of its wedging element, a tri-articulated wedging device and, at the other end of its wedging element, a bi-articulated wedging device;
• the wedging element is connected to the outer casing by a connecting panel which is hinged to an outer panel of the outer casing along a longitudinal side thereof, and which is hinged to a main panel of the wedging element along a longitudinal side thereof;
• the connecting panel connecting the outer envelope and the wedging element has a transverse dimension which generates an angular offset between the main panels of the wedging element and the outer panels of the outer envelope;
• the wedging element comprises support lugs which extend in one or more transverse directions and which are each in contact with an inner face of an outer panel of the outer envelope to maintain at least one of the main panels of the wedging element spaced apart from said external panel of the outer envelope;
• the packaging is made in one piece from a single blank of cardboard whose weight is greater than or equal to 180 g / m2, and less than or equal to 2000 g / m2.

• au moins trois panneaux externes sont agencés successivement l'un à côté de l'autre, et sont rattachés par des lignes de pliage longitudinales qui s'étendent parallèlement l'une à l'autre selon la direction longitudinale, les lignes de pliage définissant des côtés longitudinaux des panneaux externes ;
• un élément de calage comportant au moins trois panneaux principaux rattachés successivement l'un à l'autre par des lignes de pliage longitudinales qui s'étendent parallèlement l'une à l'autre selon une direction longitudinale, les lignes de pliage définissant des côtés longitudinaux des panneaux principaux.

The invention also proposes a pre-cut blank formed in one piece from a sheet of material, of the type in which:

• at least three outer panels are successively arranged next to each other, and are connected by longitudinal fold lines which extend parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction, the fold lines defining longitudinal sides of the outer panels;
• a wedging element comprising at least three main panels successively attached to one another by longitudinal fold lines which extend parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction, the fold lines defining longitudinal sides main panels.

• un bandeau d'extrémité comprenant autant de panneaux d'extrémité que le nombre de panneaux principaux de l'élément de calage, rattachés successivement l'un à l'autre autour de lignes de pliages agencées dans l'alignement des lignes de pliage des panneaux principaux ;
• pour au moins deux panneaux principaux distincts, au moins une patte de liaison longitudinale qui relie ledit panneau principal à un panneau d'extrémité correspondant, et la patte de liaison d'un panneau principal étant distincte de la ou les pattes de liaison des autres panneaux principaux, les pattes de liaison étant séparées l'une de l'autre transversalement par une découpe de séparation dans la feuille de matériau.

The wedging element comprises, at at least one longitudinal end, an end wedging device comprising:

• an end strip comprising as many end panels as the number of main panels of the wedging element, successively attached to one another around fold lines arranged in alignment with the fold lines of the panels main;
• for at least two distinct main panels, at least one longitudinal connecting lug which connects said main panel to a corresponding end panel, and the connecting lug of a main panel being distinct from the one or more connecting lugs of the other panels main, the connecting tabs being separated from each other transversely by a separating blank in the sheet of material.

Each connecting lug comprises an intermediate transverse folding line which delimits a main portion and an end portion of the connecting lug, respectively attached to the corresponding main panel and to the end panel, so as to bring the band of end of the main panels by folding the two parts of the connecting lug on themselves around the intermediate fold line.

• l'un au moins des panneaux externes comporte, au moins à l'extrémité longitudinale correspondant au dispositif de calage d'extrémité, un dispositif de fermeture comportant au moins un volet de fermeture qui est rattaché à un bord transversal d'un panneau externe ;
• le dispositif de calage d'extrémité est un dispositif tri-articulé dans lequel la partie principale et la partie d'extrémité des pattes de liaison sont toutes les deux rattachées au panneau principal et au panneau d'extrémité correspondant par une ligne de pliage transversale pré-marquée ;
• la longueur de la partie principale, respectivement de la partie d'extrémité, des pattes de liaison, définies comme étant la plus courte distance entre la ligne de pliage intermédiaire et la ligne de pliage transversale pré-marquée de rattachement au panneau principal, respectivement d'extrémité, sont toutes les deux inférieures à la moitié de la transversale d'un panneau principal adjacent au panneau principal auquel est rattachée la patte de liaison, définie comme étant la distance entre les deux côtés longitudinaux du panneau adjacent ;
• le dispositif de calage d'extrémité est un dispositif tri-articulé, et la longueur de la partie principale d'une patte de liaison, définie comme étant la plus courte distance entre la ligne de pliage intermédiaire et la ligne de pliage transversale pré-marquée de rattachement au panneau principal, est inférieure à la longueur de la partie d'extrémité de ladite patte de liaison, définie comme étant la plus courte distance entre la ligne de pliage intermédiaire et la ligne de pliage transversale pré-marquée de rattachement au panneau d'extrémité ;
• la longueur de la partie principale d'une patte de liaison est inférieure de 5 à 20 pourcents de la longueur de la partie d'extrémité de ladite patte de liaison ;
• le dispositif de calage d'extrémité est un dispositif bi-articulé, dans lequel la partie principale des pattes de liaison est rattachée au panneau principal correspondant par une ligne de pliage transversale pré-marquée, tandis que la partie d'extrémité des pattes de liaison est rattachée au panneau d'extrémité correspondant par une zone de flexion dépourvue de ligne transversale de pliage pré-marquée ;
• le flan comporte un dispositif de calage d'extrémité à chacune de ses deux extrémités longitudinales de l'élément de calage ;
• le flan comporte un dispositif de calage d'extrémité tri-articulé à chacune des deux extrémités longitudinales de l'élément de calage, et, à chaque extrémité longitudinale, l'un au moins des panneaux externes comporte un dispositif de fermeture ayant au moins un volet de fermeture qui est rattaché à un bord transversal d'un panneau externe ;
• le flan comporte, à une extrémité longitudinale de son élément de calage, un dispositif de calage d'extrémité tri-articulé et, à l'autre extrémité de son élément de calage, un dispositif de calage d'extrémité bi-articulé ;
• le flan comporte au moins une patte d'appui qui est délimitée par une découpe en U pratiquée dans un panneau principal de l'élément de calage, les sommets des branches du U correspondant à une ligne de pliage, la découpe en U délimitant une extension transversale pour le panneau principal adjacent partageant le même côté longitudinal ;
• le flan comporte un panneau de liaison qui est rattaché par une ligne de pliage à un panneau externe le long d'un côté longitudinal de celui-ci, et qui est rattaché à un panneau principal le long d'un côté longitudinal de celui-ci ;
• le flan est réalisé en une seule pièce à partir d'un flan unique de carton dont le grammage est supérieur ou égal 180 g/m², et inférieur ou égal à 2000 g/m².
• le bandeau d'extrémité présente un rabat d'assemblage qui est solidaire d'un panneau d'extrémité extrême et qui est destiné à être rabattu et assemblé contre l'autre panneau d'extrémité extrême pour donner au bandeau d'extrémité un contour fermé.

According to other features, optional, of the invention, taken separately or in combination:

• at least one of the outer panels comprises, at least at the longitudinal end corresponding to the end stopping device, a closure device comprising at least one closure flap which is attached to a transverse edge of an outer panel;
• the end wedging device is a tri-articulated device in which the main part and the end part of the connecting tabs are both attached to the main panel and the corresponding end panel by a transverse fold line -marked;
• the length of the main portion, respectively of the end portion, of the connecting lugs, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line and the pre-marked transversal fold line of attachment to the main panel, respectively d end, are both less than half the cross-section of a main panel adjacent to the main panel to which is attached the connecting lug, defined as the distance between the two longitudinal sides of the adjacent panel;
• the endstop is a tri-articulated device, and the length of the main portion of a linkage tab, defined as the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line and the pre-marked transverse fold line of attachment to the main panel, is less than the length of the end portion of said connecting lug, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line and the pre-marked transverse fold line of attachment to the panel d end;
• the length of the main portion of a connecting lug is less than 5 to 20 percent of the length of the end portion of said connecting lug;
• the endstop device is a bi-articulated device, in which the main part of the connecting tabs is attached to the corresponding main panel by a pre-marked transverse fold line, while the end part of the connecting tabs is attached to the corresponding end panel by a bending zone devoid of pre-marked folding cross line;
• the blank comprises an end wedging device at each of its two longitudinal ends of the wedging element;
• the blank comprises a tri-articulated end wedging device at each of the two longitudinal ends of the wedging element, and at each longitudinal end, at least one of the outer panels comprises a closure device having at least one closure flap which is attached to a transverse edge of an outer panel;
• the blank comprises, at a longitudinal end of its wedging element, a tri-articulated end wedging device and, at the other end of its wedging element, a bi-articulated end wedging device;
• the blank comprises at least one support lug which is delimited by a U-shaped cut made in a main panel of the wedging element, the vertices of the branches of the U corresponding to a fold line, the U-shaped cut-out defining an extension transversal for the adjacent main panel sharing the same longitudinal side;
• the blank comprises a connecting panel which is attached by a fold line to an outer panel along a longitudinal side thereof, and which is attached to a main panel along a longitudinal side thereof ;
• the blank is made in one piece from a single blank of cardboard whose weight is greater than or equal to 180 g / m ² , and less than or equal to 2000 g / m ² .
• the end strip has an assembly flap which is integral with an end end panel and which is intended to be folded down and assembled against the other end end panel to give the end band a closed contour .

The invention also proposes a package obtained from such a pre-cut blank.

• La Figure 1 est une vue en plan d'un flan selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention.
• La Figure 2 illustre une partie du flan de la Figure 1 .
• La Figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'une étape intermédiaire de montage de l'emballage obtenu grâce au flan de la Figure 1 .
• La Figure 4 est une vue en perspective de l'emballage obtenu à partir du flan de la Figure 1 .
• Les Figures 5A, 5B et 5C sont des vues schématiques en section montrant, en section par un plan longitudinal, différentes portions du dispositif de calage d'extrémité de l'emballage de la Figure 4 .
• Les Figures 6 et 7 sont des vues similaires aux Figures 1 et 3 illustrant un deuxième mode de réalisation.
• Les Figures 8A et 8B sont des vues similaires à celles des Figures 5A et 5C , pour le deuxième mode de réalisation des Figures 6 et 7 .
• La Figure 9 est une vue en plan d'un flan selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention.
• La Figure 10 est une vue en section transversale de l'emballage obtenu à partir du flan de la Figure 9 .

Various other characteristics appear from the description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of non-limiting examples, embodiments of the subject of the invention.

• The Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank according to a first embodiment of the invention.
• The Figure 2 illustrates part of the flan of the Figure 1 .
• The Figure 3 is a perspective view of an intermediate step of mounting the package obtained thanks to the blank of the Figure 1 .
• The Figure 4 is a perspective view of the packaging obtained from the blank of the Figure 1 .
• The Figures 5A, 5B and 5C are diagrammatic sectional views showing, in section through a longitudinal plane, different portions of the endstop of the packaging of the Figure 4 .
• The Figures 6 and 7 are similar views to Figures 1 and 3 illustrating a second embodiment.
• The Figures 8A and 8B are views similar to those of Figures 5A and 5C , for the second embodiment of the Figures 6 and 7 .
• The Figure 9 is a plan view of a blank according to another embodiment of the invention.
• The Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the package obtained from the blank of the Figure 9 .

We illustrated on the Figure 1 a first embodiment of a blank 10 according to the invention for obtaining a package according to the invention.

The blank 10 which is illustrated on the Figure 1 is obtained by cutting a sheet of material and constitutes a single blank in that there is continuity of material in the blank, which is not constituted by an assembly of several previously disjoint elements.

The blank material will be a conventional material for this type of packaging. It may for example be a cardboard whose weight is greater than or equal to 180 g per square meter. Generally, the cardboard used for such packages has a basis weight less than or equal to 2000 g per square meter. However, the use of other materials, including polymeric materials, is conceivable. Preferably, these materials have a semi-rigid appearance flexion about an axis in the plane of the sheet in which the blank is pre-cut.

• la technique de découpe mi-chair, dans laquelle la feuille de matériau est découpée, mais pas sur toute son épaisseur ;
• le marquage par écrasement de matière, etc...

On the Figure 1 , and in similar figures, there is shown in continuous lines the free or cut edges of the blank. We have shown in dashed lines of the markings made in the material of the blank but at the level of which the blank is not entirely cut out. The realization of the markings may involve one or more techniques, among which may be mentioned for example:

• the half-flesh cutting technique, in which the sheet of material is cut, but not over its entire thickness;
• marking by crushing of material, etc ...

These markings are intended to form a pre-marked fold line of the sheet of material for the purpose of producing the package. Indeed, the blank 10, which is planar, must be subjected to folding operations and assembly, including gluing, to achieve a three-dimensional packaging.

The blank 10 has two main portions each intended to form a peripheral envelope. A first portion 12, visible on the left of the Figure 1 and visible on the Figure 2 , is intended to form a main element, called wedging element, packaging. A second portion 14, visible on the right side of the Figure 1 , is intended to form an outer envelope of the package. The two portions 12, 14 of the blank 10 are connected to each other by a connecting panel 16 whose role will be explained later.

Firstly, the first portion 12 of the blank 10 intended to form a main cushioning element of the package will be described.

In this portion, the blank comprises four main panels 21, 22, 23, 24 which are juxtaposed and articulated successively to one another around three fold lines 31, 32, 33 longitudinal. A first fold line 31 connects, delimiting, a distal extreme main panel 21 of a distal intermediate main panel 22. A second fold line 32 connects the distal intermediate main panel 22 to a proximal intermediate main panel 23, which is connected to a proximal proximal main panel 24 around a fold line 33. The fold lines 31, 32, 33 thus define longitudinal sides of the corresponding main panels.

The distal endmost main panel 21 further comprises a longitudinal side 30 through which it is connected to an assembly flap 18, the longitudinal side 30 corresponding to a fold line, preferably pre-marked, between the panel 21 and the flap 18. Opposite the longitudinal side 30, the flap 18 has a longitudinal free edge 29, which is a free edge of the blank 10.

The proximal end main panel 24 has, opposite the longitudinal side 33, a longitudinal side 34 which, in this embodiment, is formed of a pre-marked fold line by which it is connected to the connecting panel 16 .

Thus, starting from the free edge 29 of the blank 10, and moving through the blank in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, one encounters successively the flap 18, the longitudinal side 30, the main distal end panel 21, the longitudinal side 31, the distal intermediate main panel 22, the longitudinal side 32, the proximal intermediate main panel 23, the longitudinal side 33, the proximal extreme main panel 24, the longitudinal side 34 and the connecting panel 16.

In this embodiment, where the main envelope is intended to form a wedging element, the main panels have transverse extensions 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 arranged at the longitudinal sides 31, 32, 33 between two panels. key. These cross-sectional extensions are optional. Each transverse extension is secured to one of the panels and is delimited by a U-shaped cut formed in the material constituting one of the adjacent main panels. The tips of the legs of the U-cut are located on a fold line 31, 32, 33 between two main panels, while the base of the U is formed by a longitudinal edge of the cutout which is offset a transverse offset " e " with respect to the corresponding fold line. At each transverse extension, the fold line is interrupted so that, when folding two successive panels around their common fold line, the extension remains in alignment with the panel of which she is in solidarity. It will be seen later that these extensions are intended to form support legs. It is therefore understood that, at these transverse extensions, the longitudinal sides of the main panels have recesses. However, these recesses do not affect the fold line between two panels. Preferably, the fold lines 31, 32 and 33 are pre-marked, except at the level of the transverse extensions.

Each of the main panels 21, 22, 23, 24 has opposite upper and lower transverse sides 41, 42, 43, 44, which are arranged at the longitudinal ends of the corresponding panel and which are each materialized by a fold line. In the proposed example, the main panels all have the same dimension in the longitudinal direction so that the upper and lower transverse edges of the four main panels are respectively aligned along an upper fold transverse line and in a lower fold transverse line. The notions of "superior" and "inferior" that are used here are only illustrative to simplify the understanding of the description. These notions refer to the orientation of the blank as illustrated on the Figure 1 and do not prejudge any orientation of the blank or packaging in the space.

It is understood that the four main panels 21, 22, 23, 24 are intended to form, after a bending at 90 ° around each of the fold lines 31, 32, 33, a main envelope closed on itself defining a closed contour around an internal wedging space of the wedging element 12. In the illustrated example, comprising four main panels, the closed contour of the main envelope corresponds to a quadrilateral in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. If the folding is done at 90 ° around each fold line, a rectangle is obtained, and even more precisely a square in the case where, in addition, the main panels have an identical transverse width. It is also understood that the flap 18 can also be folded at 90 ° around the fold line 30 so that it can be brought into position. support, plane against plane, against the main proximal end panel 24. An assembly of the flap 18 on the panel 24, for example by gluing, makes it possible to fix the three-dimensional geometry of the wedging element comprising the four main panels. The fact that a peripheral envelope defines a closed contour does not prevent the peripheral panels that compose it possibly include windows or openings.

In the example illustrated, the proximal extreme main panel 24 has a width greater than that of the other panels. It is thus possible to define a virtual longitudinal assembly line LM1 offset from the fold line 34 connecting to the connecting panel 16 by a transverse gap "e". The transverse distance between the longitudinal virtual assembly line LM1 and the longitudinal side 33 of the proximal extreme main panel 24 is equal to the transverse width of the distal intermediate main panel 22 between its two longitudinal sides 31 and 32. Preferably, this transverse deviation " e " corresponds to the transverse distance " e " of the support legs 51-55. When assembling the main envelope, it is planned to make the fold line 30, separating the flap 18 of the main panel 21, coincide with the longitudinal virtual assembly line LM1. The portion of the proximal proximal main panel 24 which lies between the longitudinal virtual assembly line LM1 and the fold line 34 constitutes a transverse extension of the panel intended to form a support lug to maintain a gap between the main cushioning casing and the outer envelope of the package.

According to the invention, the wedging element formed by the portion 12 of the blank 10 comprises, at at least one longitudinal end, an end wedging device.

Indeed, as we can see on the Figure 1 , the wedging element comprising the four main panels 21, 22, 23, 24 further comprises, at at least one longitudinal end, an end strip 60 which comprises as many end panels 61, 62, 63 , 64 that the number of main panels. Similarly to the main panels, the end panels are successively articulated to one another around longitudinal fold lines 71, 72, 73 arranged in alignment with the fold lines 31, 32, 33 of the main panels. . In the illustrated example, the wedging element is provided with two end bands, one at each longitudinal end, but only one could be provided.

As can be seen more particularly on the Figure 2 For at least two separate main panels, at least one longitudinal connecting lug 80 is provided which connects a main panel to a respective end panel, that is to say, an end panel arranged longitudinally in the extension of main panel considered. In the example shown, the four end panels are each connected to the corresponding main panel by a connecting lug 80. In this embodiment, the connecting lugs all have the same geometry. Note that the connecting lug 80 of a main panel is separate from the or the connecting lugs of the other main panels. In this sense, the connecting tabs are separated from each other transversely by a separation cutout 82 in the sheet of materials. Each connecting lug 80 has an intermediate transverse folding line 84 which delimits the tab in two parts: a main part 80a which is attached to the corresponding main panel and an end part 80b which is attached to the corresponding end panel. .

The main part of the connecting lug 80 is articulated to the corresponding main panel by a pre-marked transverse fold line.

Within the meaning of this text, a pre-marked fold line is intended to form, at the time of folding, a net hinge between two portions of the material constituting the blank, in this case between the main panel and the main part 80a of the blank. link lug 80. At a pre-marked fold line, folding is done where the bulk of the deformation is concentrated on the fold line. At the level of a pre-marked line, the The mechanical characteristics of the material, in particular flexural strength, have a sudden weakening, which makes it a preferred deformation zone with respect to the surrounding areas. The production of a pre-marked fold line may involve one or more techniques, among which may be mentioned, for example, the technique of cutting half-flesh, or marking by crushing of material, etc.

In the illustrated example, the pre-marked fold line by which each link tab is attached to the corresponding main panel, coincides with the transverse end side 41, 42, 43, 44 of the corresponding main panel.

Preferably, the intermediate fold lines 84 of all the connecting tabs connecting an end strip 60 to the corresponding main panels are aligned in a transverse direction.

Preferably, the intermediate fold line 84 of each leg is also pre-marked in the sense defined above.

In contrast, in this first exemplary embodiment, the end portion 80b of the connecting lugs 80 is attached to the corresponding end panel by a bending zone devoid of a pre-marked folding transverse line. In this sense, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 , It is not possible to clearly distinguish the separation between the end panel and the end portion of the corresponding connecting lug. Preferably, there is no abrupt discontinuity in the mechanical characteristics of the material, in particular flexural strength, in the transition zone between the end panel 61, 62, 63, 64 and this end portion 80b of the corresponding link leg 80 . In other words, if it is desired to deform the end portion of the connecting lug in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the blank, relative to the end panel, this deformation results in a progressive curvature that extends over any a transition zone, not a crisp fold at a hinge line.

The transition zone, between an end panel of the strip 60 and the end portion 80b of the corresponding connecting tab, has a greater stiffness in flexural strength than the transition zone between a main panel and the part. main 80a of the same connecting lug, the latter transition zone comprising the pre-marked fold line.

In the illustrated example, each end panel is connected to the corresponding main panel by a single connecting lug. However, it could be expected that at least one end panel is connected to the corresponding main panel by a plurality of independent link tabs. Furthermore, it is not necessary that all the end panels are connected to the corresponding main panel by a connecting lug. In particular, in the context of a wedging element with four main panels, it is possible for example to provide that only two of the four end panels, preferably non-adjacent, are connected to their corresponding main panel by one or more connecting lugs. .

In the example shown on the Figures 1 and 2 , a separation cutout 82 between two connecting lugs has a diamond shape with two longitudinal vertices 82a, 82b and with two transverse vertices 82c.

Preferably, the transverse vertices 82c of a diamond separation cutout are each arranged at the end of the transverse intermediate folding line 84 of the two adjacent connecting lugs.

In the example illustrated, a separating cut 82 has one end, here formed by a longitudinal apex 82, on the side of the main panels, which is located at the intersection of the fold line 31, 32, 33 between two panels with the pre-marked fold line 41, 42, 43, 44 by which each of the two adjacent connecting lugs, separated by the cut in question, are connected to said main panels.

In the example illustrated, a separation cutout 82 has an end, here formed by a longitudinal apex 82b , on the side of end panels, which is located on the folding line 71, 72, 73 hinge these end panels.

In the illustrated example, all the connecting lugs 80 have the same geometry and all the separation cutouts 82 between the connecting lugs also have the same geometry. Thus, the longitudinal vertices 82b of the cuts 82, on the side of the end panels 61, 62, 63, 64, are aligned along a virtual transverse line LP1.

The second portion of the blank 10, intended to form the outer envelope of the package, conventionally has a case, four outer panels 121, 122 , 123, 124 articulated successively to one another around lines longitudinal folds 131, 132, 133, which define longitudinal sides of the outer panels. A proximal outer panel 121 is connected by a longitudinal fold line 130, opposite its other longitudinal side 131 , to the connecting panel 16, the latter thus ensuring the connection between the two portions 12, 14 of the blank 10. By folding, this outer envelope is intended to be closed on itself to define a closed contour around an interior space in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In this case, the connecting panel 16 is intended to also form an assembly flap, intended to be assembled, for example by gluing, plane against plane against an inner face of a distal outermost panel 124, to produce and maintain the three-dimensional shape of the outer shell. In the example shown, the outer panels have an upper transverse width, twice the transverse deviation value "e" to the width of the corresponding main panels of the wedging element 12. length in the longitudinal direction which is greater than the length of the main panels of the wedging element.

As illustrated, one can provide at least one closure flap 125 hinged along a transverse longitudinal end edge of an outer panel, for example the proximal outermost panel 121. In this case, two such closure flaps 125 are planned to close the case at both longitudinal ends. Each closure flap 125 is preferably provided with a locking flap 126 hinged to a transverse longitudinal end edge of the closure flap 125 opposite its hinge edge on the outer panel 121. In addition, it can be provided that the closure of the package at the longitudinal ends is completed by one or more complementary closure shutters 128, also articulated along a transverse longitudinal end edge of an outer panel 122, 124 other than the outer panel 123 opposite the outer panel 121 carrying the closure flap 125.

To form a package starting from the blank thus described, it is proceeded, as is visible on the Figure 3 , First by the formation of the wedge member by folding the flap 18, then successively the main panels 21, 22, 23, 24 respectively about fold lines 30, 31, 32, 33. At the same time the end panels 61, 62, 63, 64 of the end strip 60 are respectively folded around the fold lines 71, 72, 73 to form a wedging element as illustrated in FIG. Figure 3 . As explained above, the outer face of the assembly flap 18 is assembled, for example by gluing, against the inner face of the main proximal end panel 24 by making the fold line 30 coincide with the longitudinal virtual assembly line LM1. The wedging element thus formed thus has a closed contour, in this square example, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

We see on the Figure 3 the transverse extensions that extend transversely to this contour by a distance corresponding to the transverse deviation value "e".

As illustrated on the Figure 3 , One will preferably method, prior to the step of winding and assembling the wedge member 12, in a step of pre-folding of the connecting brackets 80 of the or of the end bands 60. This pre -folding is to perform a folding, for example at 120 ° or 180 °, by folding the entire end strip 60 inwardly around the line constituted by the alignment of the transverse edges 41, 42, 43, 44 of the main panels, then to fold back into in the opposite direction, for example at 120 ° or 180 ° to the outside, the end band around the intermediate transverse folding lines 84 of the connecting lugs 80. Thus, naturally, a conformation of the connecting lugs 80 of such so that they are slightly folded, relative to the main panels, inwardly around their pre-marked fold line by which are connected to the main panel. On the other hand, as can be seen on the Figure 3 , the connecting tabs then naturally present, at the intermediate fold line 84, a concavity turned outward. Before the folding and winding operation described above to form the wedging element, it is possible to redeploy the end bands by restoring the link tabs flat, or almost flat, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 .

Note that the end strip 60 also has an assembly flap 18a, which may be constituted by the extension of the assembly flap 18, which is secured to an end end panel 61, and which is intended to to be folded down and assembled, for example by gluing, against the other extreme end panel 64 to give the end strip a closed contour substantially identical to the closed contour determined by the main panels.

We see that each end panel of the end strip is then arranged in the same plane as the corresponding main panel of the wedging element.

From the intermediate step illustrated in Figure 3 , the formation of the package is continued by forming the outer envelope by successive folds of the blank around the fold lines 34, 130, 131, 132, 133 so that, once the distal outermost panel 124 folds with its internal face bearing against an outer face of the connecting panel 16, the four outer panels form around the wedging element 12, the outer casing also having a closed contour. The result of this assembly is illustrated in figure 4 . We then have a package consisting of an outer casing and an internal wedging element whose main panels are arranged substantially parallel to the outer panels. Note that in this embodiment, the connecting panel 16 has a transverse width which is substantially equal to the transverse width of the outer panels minus the transverse deviation value "e". This offset combines with the role of the transverse extensions 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, which form as many support lugs which extend in one or more transverse directions and which are each in contact with an inner face of an outer panel of the outer casing for holding at least one of the main panels of the wedge member spaced apart from said external panel of the outer casing. Thus, the main envelope of the wedging element is firmly held away from the external panels of the outer envelope, preferably in the two transverse directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The difference value "e" determines the distance between the respective panels vis-à-vis the outer envelope and the cushioning envelope.

The end strip 60 and the connecting lugs 80 form, at a longitudinal end of the wedging element, an end wedging device for longitudinally wedging a product inside the wedging element. The end wedging device which has just been described is a first possible embodiment. Others will be described later.

We have illustrated on FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C schematic sectional views that illustrate different positions of this first embodiment of an end wedging device.

Due to the absence of a pre-marked fold line in the transition zone between the end panel and the end portion 80b of the corresponding connecting lugs 80 , this transition zone thus forming a bending zone, this first embodiment of an endstop device can be described as a bi-articulated device because the connecting lug 80 has only two net joints, to namely the intermediate transverse folding line 84 and the pre-marked fold line of connection to the corresponding main panel.

On the Figure 5A the bi-articulated end wedging device is illustrated in a longitudinally extended outward position. In this position, the connecting lugs 80 are unfolded in the sense that the two parts of the connecting lugs form, between them, an angle greater than 90 °.

On the Figure 5C the bi-articulated end wedging device has been illustrated in an inward longitudinal position. In this position, the two parts of the connecting lugs 80 are folded over one another in the sense that they form, between them, an angle less than 90 °. As illustrated, the tabs 80 are directed longitudinally inward to form a harpoon directed longitudinally inward of the space defined by the envelope formed by the main panels which carry them.

The bi-articulated end wedging device can be reversibly moved between these two distinct stable longitudinal positions, on either side of an unstable position, illustrated in FIG. Figure 5B Wherein the main portions 80a of the connecting lugs 80 extend in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Due to the absence of a pre-marked transverse fold line between the end panel and the end portion 80b of the corresponding connecting tabs, the bi-articulated end clamping device is resiliently biased toward one or the other of these two longitudinal positions stable under the effect of a restoring force which is due in particular to the elastic deformation of the bending zone at the transition between the end panel and the end portion of the dough link. The same restoring force makes the position illustrated in Figure 5B is an unstable position.

It should be noted that, in an endstop device according to the invention, the closed nature of the contour formed by the end strip 60 contributes to the fact that the forces generated at the level of two legs carried by opposite main panels tend to cancel.

In addition, in the particular case of a bi-articulated end wedging device, the closed nature of the contour formed by the end strip 60 contributes to the fact that the end panels can not move in the direction transverse, and the end strip 60 forms a rigid base for taking up the bending stresses generated in the transition zone between the end panel and the end portion 80b of the corresponding connecting tabs, which allows this zone transition to generate a relatively large restoring force.

Preferably, for an endstop device according to the invention, the length "la" of the main portion 80a of a connecting lug 80, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line 84 and the pre-marked transverse fold line 41, 42, 43, 44 by which it is attached to the corresponding main panel, is less than half of the maximum dimension "T" of the inner space of the wedging element in one direction perpendicular to the corresponding main panel. This characteristic is particularly visible on the Figure 5B where it can be seen that the main portions 80a of the two opposite connecting lugs 80 , that is to say connected to two non-adjacent panels of the envelope, can not come into abutment against each other during the tilting of the end strip 60 between its extended and close positions. In the case of a four-panel main envelope, the maximum dimension "T" of the internal space of the wedging element, in a transverse direction perpendicular to the corresponding main panel, is generally equal to the distance between the two longitudinal sides of a main panel adjacent to the panel.

In the same way, the separating blanks 82 between two adjacent connecting tabs 80 are preferably arranged, as in the example illustrated, in the form of an openwork, that is to say in the form of a cutting that is not a simple cut line. The geometry of this openwork is preferably chosen so that, when the main parts 80a of two adjacent connecting lugs, not being connected to a same main panel but being linked to two adjacent main panels, are bent at 90 ° to the interior space, as shown in Figure 5B , The main parts 80a of the adjacent connection tabs do not overlap, particularly in view in the longitudinal direction. This prevents two adjacent tabs abut against each other during the tilting of the end strip between its extended and close positions.

In the close position illustrated at Figure 5C , the intermediate fold line 84 of the connecting lugs forms a projecting edge of the folded connecting lug 80 , this projecting edge being able to bear against a product contained in the packaging to ensure the wedging.

In addition, it will be advantageously provided that the connecting tabs each have a main portion 80a whose geometry allows it to be received, folded at 90 ° to the inner space relative to the corresponding main panel, without contacting the adjacent main panels.

Furthermore, it is possible to define the length of the end portion 80b of a connecting lug as being the shortest distance " Ib " between the intermediate fold line 84 and a transverse partition line between this end portion 80b. and the corresponding end panel.

In the particular case of a bi-articulated end wedging device, this dividing line is not marked. It is therefore a theoretical line. It can be defined as the last theoretical line, starting from the corresponding longitudinal end of the wedging element, for which there is continuity of material of the end strip over the entire transverse width of the corresponding end panel. . In other words, this theoretical line may be the last theoretical line for which neither separating blanks 82 are intercepted on either side of the link tab considered. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, these two definitions correspond to the virtual transversal line LP1 along which the longitudinal vertices 82 b cutouts 82, the side of the end panels 61, 62, 63, 64, are aligned.

Preferably, in the particular case of a bi-articulated end wedging device, the length " la " of the main part 80a of a connecting lug 80 is less than the length "lb" of the part of end 80b of the same link leg. In this way, it tends to avoid that, during the tilting of the end wedging device between these two stable positions, the bending zone of the end portion of the connecting lug undergoes irreversible damage. Thus, this bending zone remains essentially in its elastic deformation range and therefore retains sufficient elasticity to maintain the endstop device in one or other of its stable positions.

On the Figure 6 There is illustrated an alternative embodiment which differs from the first embodiment essentially in that it is provided with end clamping devices which are not bi-articulated as in the first embodiment, but which are devices tri-articulated. A view of the packaging being assembled, from the blank of the Figure 6 , is represented at Figure 7 .

The elements common to the two embodiments are designated by the same references and are not described in more detail.

Note that, in this embodiment, the closed contour formed by the main panels 21, 22, 23, 24 of the main envelope, the closed contour formed by the outer panels 121, 122 , 123, 124 of the envelope external, and the closed contour formed by the end panels of the end bands 60, 60 ' of the end wedging devices are all three rectangular because of the different width of the panels considered in the same envelope or in a same headband, with alternation, whose succession of panels, a narrow panel and a wide panel.

In this embodiment, the upper tri-articulated end wedging device of the tri-articulated end wedging device will be distinguished. lower, recalling that the notions of superior and inferior are only used by reference to the representation of the Figure 6 , without affecting the orientation of the blank or the packaging in the space.

The upper end strip 60 thus comprises four end panels 61, 62, 63, 64, intended to form, after folding of the end panels around their respective fold lines 71, 72, 73, a closed contour when a flap 18 is secured to an extreme end panel 61 is assembled, for example by gluing, to an extreme end panel 64. Each end panel is connected to a respective main panel via a connecting lug 80. Each connecting lug 80 has an intermediate transverse fold line 84, which delimits a main portion 80a and an end portion 80b of the connecting lug 80 respectively attached to the corresponding main panel and end panel.

As in the first embodiment, the main portion 80a of the connecting lug is attached to the main panel by a pre-marked transverse fold line which preferably coincides with a transverse longitudinal end edge of the main panel. Preferably, as in the previous embodiment, for all the tie tabs 80 of the upper end wedging device, the pre-marked transverse fold lines of the main portion 80a with the corresponding main panel are all aligned according to a transverse line 83, which in this example coincides with the transverse longitudinal end edge 41, 42, 43, 44 of the corresponding main panel of the wedging element 12.

In contrast, contrary to what has been seen for the first embodiment, the end portion 80b of the connecting tab 80 is attached to the corresponding end panel by a pre-marked transverse fold line 85. , unlike the first embodiment, the end portion 80b of the connecting lug is connected to the end panel of the corresponding end strip by a net hinge, which can be characterized in particular by a sharp fall in mechanical characteristics, in particular of flexural strength, of the material.

The pre-marked transverse fold line 85 can thus be considered as a demarcation line between the end panel and the corresponding connecting lug 80 . Preferably, for all the connecting lugs 80 of the same tri-articulated end wedging device, the pre-marked transversal fold lines 85 for attaching the connecting lug to the corresponding end panel are aligned according to a transverse right.

The connecting lugs 80 are delimited between them by cutouts 82, which, in this embodiment, are formed by perforations and not by simple cutting lines. In the example illustrated, the longitudinal vertices 82b of the cutouts 82, on the side of the end panels of the end strip 60, are aligned on the pre-marked transverse fold line 85 for attaching the connecting lug 80 to the panel. corresponding end.

The connecting tabs 80 of the upper end wedging device are not all identical. Those associated with wide panels 22, 24, 62, 64 have a geometry similar to that described above, with lateral sides, defined by the cutouts 82, which each form a half rhombus. For these tabs associated with wide panels, the fold line 84 extends between the transverse vertices of these half-lozenges.

The connecting tabs associated with narrow panels 21, 23, 61, 63 each have a central portion with longitudinal parallel edges and, on either side of the central portion, end portions with flared edges providing the connection respectively to the corresponding main panel and end panel. These connecting lugs therefore have a general hourglass shape. The transverse fold line 84 of each tab 80 extends across the central portion.

Thus, in the example illustrated, a cutout 82 arranged between a connecting lug associated with a wide panel and a connecting lug associated with a narrow panel has a truncated diamond geometry. transversely by a longitudinal flat on the side of the connecting lug associated with a narrow panel.

Preferably, the transverse intermediate folding lines 84 of the connecting tabs 80 of the upper end wedging device are aligned along a transverse line.

In this embodiment, each connecting lug 80 is therefore associated with three pre-marked fold lines 83, 84, 85, which justify the designation of tri-articulated end wedging device. Advantageously, the three pre-marked fold lines 83, 84, 85 are parallel to each other.

The transverse line 84 of a connecting lug may be equidistant from the other two pre-marked fold lines 83, 85 by which a connecting lug 80 is respectively connected to the corresponding main and end panels.

Preferably, the length of the main portion 80a, respectively of the end portion 80b, of the connecting tabs, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line 84 and the pre-marked transverse fold line 83, 85 of attachment to the main panel, respectively to the end panel, are both less than half the maximum dimension of the inner space of the wedging element in a transverse direction perpendicular to the corresponding main panel. Note however that, in the illustrated example, this condition is not fulfilled for the connecting tabs 82 associated with the wide panels, for the upper end wedging device which has just been described, because the dimension The maximum amount of the internal space of the wedging element is then determined by the transverse width of the narrow panels 21, 23 which, in this example, does not make it possible to carry out the condition.

As for the embodiment described above, the tri-articulated end wedging device can be reversibly moved between at least one extended outward longitudinal position, illustrated for example in FIG. Figure 8 A , and a longitudinal position close to inside, illustrated in Figure 8 B . However, in most cases, only the extended outward longitudinal position is a stable position.

Preferably, in the close longitudinal position, it will advantageously be provided that a transverse end edge 69 of the wedging device (here formed by the free transverse edge of the end strip 60 ) is received inside the space delimited by the outer envelope. Advantageously, it is received at or longitudinally inwardly with respect to a longitudinal end edge of the package which is defined by the transverse end edges of the outer panels of the outer shell. In this way, a closure flap 125 and / or possibly complementary shutter flaps 128, articulated on these transverse end edges of the outer panels, can, in the closed position at 90 °, block the wedging device of end in the interior space delimited by the outer envelope, in a position inwardly close to the position as illustrated in FIG. figure 8 B .

In this position, the connecting tabs 80 are folded on themselves and extend substantially across the interior space. In particular, the intermediate fold line 84 of the connecting lugs forms a projecting edge of the folded connecting lug 80 , this projecting edge being able to bear against a product contained in the packaging to ensure the wedging.

In contrast, in the extended position of the endstop device, the transverse end edge of the endstopper protrudes outside the interior space defined by the outer shell. As we see on the Figure 8 A , the transverse end edge of the end stabbing device protrudes longitudinally outwardly with respect to the longitudinal end edge of the package defined by the transverse end edges of the external panels of the outer shell.

In the context of a tri-articulated end wedging device, it is possible to define the length "1b" of the end portion 80b of a connecting lug 80 as being the shortest distance between the fold intermediate 84 and the pre-marked transverse fold line 85 by which it is attached to the end panel. This length "lb" may be chosen to be greater than the length "la" of the main portion 80a of the link tab 80, which is defined, as before, as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line 84 and the pre-marked transverse fold line 83 of main panel attachment. For example, the length "la" of the main portion 80a of a link tab 80 may be 5 to 20 % less than the length "1b" of the end portion 80b of said link tab. With such a characteristic, which is illustrated in the figures, it is seen that, in the close position of the end wedging device, the connecting lugs 80 are across the interior space but slightly turned longitudinally inwards. this space.

The end wedging device that is illustrated on the Figure 6 the lower side of the wedging element 12 is also a tri-articulated device. It differs essentially from the upper device in that the lower end strip 60 ' is connected to the main envelope only by connecting lugs 80' associated only with two of the four main panels 61 ', 62', 63 ', 64', in this case two non-adjacent main panels, in this case opposed, namely the main wide panels 22, 24. In contrast, the other two panels, in this case the narrow panels 21, 23, are not related to the corresponding end panel of the lower end strip 60 '. Thus, between the narrow main panels 21, 23 and the corresponding end panels there is a cut-out 82 ' which is interposed between the connecting tabs 80' corresponding to the wide main panels 22, 24.

Moreover, if we consider only the connection of one of the wide panels, for example the main panel 22, with the corresponding end panel 62 ' of the end strip 60', we see that they are in fact two link tabs 80 which are provided. These two longitudinal link tabs 80 ' are shifted transversely relative to one another. either side of a central separation window 87 '. Each connecting lug 80 ' is attached respectively to the corresponding main panel and to the corresponding end panel by fold lines 83', 85 ', pre-marked, and each connecting lug has a transverse intermediate folding line 84' delimiting a main portion 80'a and an end portion 80'b of the connecting tab 80 '.

Note that the window 87 ' does not extend over the entire distance between the fold lines 83', 85 ' by which the connecting tabs are respectively attached to the corresponding main panel and the corresponding end panel. In this way, there remain, longitudinally on either side of the separation window 87 ', transverse strips 89' which extend transversely between two connecting tabs 80 ' associated with the same main panel. The transverse strips 89 ' are therefore respectively connected to the corresponding main panel and the corresponding end panel by the pre-marked fold lines 83', 85 '.

The same configuration is found at the main panel 24, also connected to the corresponding end panel by two connecting tabs 80 ' arranged in parallel on either side of a central separation window 87'.

In a variant, not shown, provision can be made for the production of a package whose wedging element comprises only three main panels articulated successively to one another and / or whose main envelope comprises only three outer panels. , thereby defining a wedging envelope and / or an outer envelope which defines a triangular closed contour in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. It is thus possible to provide a package comprising two peripheral envelopes, namely an outer envelope and a main envelope of a wedging element, which would both have only three main panels, thus defining envelopes having nested triangular sections. To facilitate the realization of such a package with three main and / or external panels, it can be useful to provide on one of the main and / or external panels, and thus on the end panel or panels of the end strip or strips corresponding to this panel, a temporary longitudinal fold line used to allow a flat gluing an assembly flap bound to an extreme peripheral panel on an opposite extreme peripheral panel. More generally, it is also possible to provide packaging or packaging elements whose peripheral envelope or envelopes have 5, 6, 7, 8 or more peripheral panels.

On the Figure 9 There is illustrated one embodiment of a single blank for producing packaging comprising an outer shell formed of outer panels 121, 122, 123, 124 and a wedge element 12 formed of main panels 21, 22, 23, 24. The number of external panels is equal to the number of main panels. However, as can be seen on the Figure 10 schematically illustrating a section, the assembled package obtained from this blank, and contrary to the embodiments described above, the outer panels are not parallel to the main panels. In this embodiment, the transverse width of the connecting panel 16 is chosen so as to create an angular offset, in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, between the external panels of the outer envelope and the main panels of the main envelope of the wedging element. Note also that this embodiment has only one end wedging device according to the invention, the upper side, having an end strip 60 connected to the main panels of the wedging element 12 by means of connecting lugs 80. This is a bi-articulated end wedging device in which the end portion 80b of at least two connecting lugs 80 is attached to the end strip 60 corresponding by a bending zone devoid of pre-marked fold transverse line. This end clamping device is arranged at a longitudinal end of the wedging element 12, in this case the upper longitudinal end, the other longitudinal end, lower, being devoid of it.

In the illustrated examples, the outer envelope has as many external panels that the wedging element comprises main panels. However, this feature is not mandatory and may be provided packages with more external panels than main panels, or conversely packs with fewer external panels than the main panels of the wedging element.

The endstop device according to the invention is particularly advantageous for several reasons.

On the one hand, the end wedging device according to the invention is obtained from the same single blank as the package.

Furthermore, the realization of the end wedging device according to the invention is relatively simple, including at the time of assembly, because it does not require particularly complicated cuts or complex assembly operations. In particular, all the fold lines are either longitudinal or transverse, without the need for folding around the oblique fold lines.

The fact that the end wedging device is made on the part of the wedge element blank has various advantages. First, the wedging device is thus likely to be concealed inside the outer casing. Then, it can be seen that, in the blank 10, at least the end stopping device does not protrude longitudinally from the level at which elements such as the closure flap 125 and / or the complementary closure flaps 128 extend . It is therefore understood that the calibration device according to the invention is thus integrated into the blank 10 without increasing the longitudinal dimension of the blank 10. On the contrary, insofar as the blank 10 is pre-cut in a strip of materials having a longitudinal dimension. given, which is determined in the examples illustrated by the length of the outer panels to which is added the length of the closure flaps 125 and the locking flaps 126, the end setting device or devices are integrated in the wedging element without increasing the width necessary for the band. We thus reduces the material falls that are generated at the time of pre-cutting of the blank 10.

When the endstop device is a bi-articulated or tri-articulated device, it has an extended outward position which is stable. This stable character is particularly useful at the time of introduction of the product of the package. Before introduction, it is in a stable extended position in which it does not interfere with the introduction of the product into the package.

After the introduction of the product, the endstop is brought into its close position in which it is able to block the product. This operation which brings the end setting device into its close position can be done by simply pressing on the end strip in the longitudinal direction. This operation can be done with an automated push tool, having only one axis of displacement. The automated push tool can be the same tool that ensures the introduction of the product into the package.

In the context of a bi-articulated end wedging device, there is no need to provide either a particular operation or additional holding means to hold the end stubbing device in its close position. This maintenance results from the bistable character as described above. The maintenance obtained by the return force of the connecting lugs is sufficient to wedge a product in the longitudinal direction.

In the context of a tri-articulated end wedging device, the holding of the end wedging device in its close position can be easily obtained simply by the presence of a closing flap 125. The packages are generally filled. such a component so that there is no additional means.

Note that the passage of the end wedging device from one to the other of its stable positions is reversible, allowing several manipulations.

Claims (16)

1. Packaging obtained from a single blank that is precut and folded from a sheet of material, the packaging being of the type comprising:

   - an outer shell (14) formed from at least three outer panels (121-124) hinged successively one to another about longitudinal fold lines (131-133) that extend parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction, the fold lines defining longitudinal sides of external panels, the outer shell being closed in a loop to define a closed outline around an inside space in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; and

   - a liner element (12) comprising a main shell having at least three main panels (21-24) hinged successively one to another about longitudinal fold lines (31-33) that extend parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction, the fold lines defining longitudinal sides of panels, the main shell being closed in a loop to define a closed outline around an inside space of the liner element in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction;

   the packaging being characterized in that the liner element includes, at at least one longitudinal end, an end liner device (60, 80, 60', 80') comprising:

   - an end strip (60, 60') having as many end panels (61-64, 61', 64') as there are main panels of the liner element, the end panels being hinged successively one to another about fold lines (71-73) arranged in alignment with the fold lies of the main panels, the end strip being looped to define a closed outline around an inside space of the liner element in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction;

   - for at least two distinct main panels, at least one longitudinal link tab (80, 80') connecting the main panel to a corresponding end panel, and the link tab of any one main panel being distinct from the link tab(s) of the other main panel, the link tabs being separated from one another transversely by separation cutouts (82, 82') in the sheet of material;

   and in that each link tab (80, 80') has a transverse intermediate fold line (84, 84') that defines a main portion (80a, 80'a) and an end portion (80b, 80'b) of the link tabs, which portions are attached respectively to the corresponding main panel and to the corresponding end panel, so as to enable the end strip to be moved towards the main shell by folding the two portions of the link tab one on another about the intermediate fold line.
2. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the end liner device (60, 80, 60', 80') can be moved reversibly between at least a longitudinal position extended towards the outside and a longitudinal position moved closer towards the inside, in which a transverse end edge of the end liner device is received inside the inside space defined by the outer shell, being set back longitudinally towards the inside from a longitudinal end edge of the packaging defined by transverse end edges of the outer panels of the outer shell.
3. Packaging according to either preceding claim, characterized in that the outer shell includes, at least at the longitudinal end provided with the end liner device, a closure device having at least one closure flap (125) that is hinged to a transverse edge of an outer panel and that co-operates, in a closed position of the packaging, with the end liner device (60, 80, 60', 80') in order to hold it in its close position.
4. Packaging according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the end liner device (60, 80, 60', 80') is a three-hinged device in which the main portion (80a, 80'a) and the end portion (80b, 80'b) of each link tab are hinged respectively to the corresponding main panel and to the corresponding end panel via respective pre-marked transverse fold lines (83, 85, 83', 85'), and in that the length (fa) of the main portion and the length (ℓb) of the end portion of each link tab, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line (84, 84') and respectively the pre-marked transverse fold line (83, 83') attached to the main panel and the pre-marked transverse fold line (85, 85') attached to the end panel, are both less than half the maximum dimension (T) of the inside space of the liner element in a transverse direction perpendicular to the corresponding main panel.
5. Packaging according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the end liner device (60, 80, 60', 80') is a three-hinged device, and in that the length (ℓa) of the main portion of a link tab, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line (84, 84') and the pre-marked transverse fold line (83, 83') attached to the main panel, is less than the length (ℓb) of the end portion of said link tab, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line (84, 84') and the pre-marked transverse fold line (85, 85') attached to the end panel.
6. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the end liner device (80, 60) is a two-hinged device, in which the main portion (80a) of each link tab (80) is attached to the corresponding main panel by a pre-marked transverse fold line (41-44), while the end portion (80b) of each link tab (80) is attached to the corresponding end panel via a bending zone having no pre-marked transverse fold line.
7. Packaging according to any preceding claim, characterized in that each link tab presents a main portion (80a) of shape enabling it to be received, when folded at 90° towards the inside space relative to the main panel to which the link tab is attached, without contacting the main panels adjacent to the main panel to which the link tab is attached.
8. Packaging according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the liner element (12) is connected to the outer shell (14) by a link panel (16) that is hinged to an outer panel (121) of the outer shell along a longitudinal side thereof, and that is hinged to a main panel (24) of the liner element (12) along a longitudinal side thereof.
9. Packaging according to claim 8, characterized in that the link panel (16) connecting the outer shell (14) to the liner element (12) possesses a transverse dimension that leads to an angular offset between the main panels of the liner element and the outer panels of the outer shell.
10. Packaging according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the liner element (12) has bearing tabs (51-55), each extending in one or more transverse directions and each in contact with an inside face of an outer panel (121-124) of the outer shell (14) in order to hold at least one of the main panels (21-24) of the liner element (12) spaced apart from said outer panel of the outer shell.
11. A precut blank formed as a single piece from a sheet of material, the blank being of the type in which:

    - at least three outer panels (112-124) are arranged successively one beside another, and are attached by longitudinal fold lines (131-133) that extend parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction, the fold lines defining longitudinal sides of the outer panels:

    - a liner element (12) having at least three main panels (21-24) attached successively one to another by longitudinal fold lines (31-33) that extend parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction, the fold lines defining longitudinal sides of the main panels;

    the blank being characterized in that the liner element (12) includes, at at least one longitudinal end, an end liner device (60, 80, 60', 80') comprising:

    - an end strip (60, 60') having as many end panels (61-64) as there are main panels of the liner element, the end panels being attached successively one to another about fold lines (71-73) arranged in alignment with the fold lines of the main panels; and

    - for at least two distinct main panels, at least one longitudinal link tab (80, 80') connecting said main panel to a corresponding end panel, with the link tab of any main panel being distinct from the link tab(s) of the other main panel, the link tabs being separated from one another transversely by separation cutouts (82, 82') in the sheet of material;

    and in that each link tab (80) includes a transverse intermediate fold line (84, 84') that defines a main portion (80a, 80'a) and an end portion (80b, 80'b) of the link tab, these portions being attached respectively to the corresponding main panel and to the corresponding end panel, so as to enable the end strip to be moved closer to the main panel by folding the two portions of the link tabs one on another about the intermediate fold lines.
12. A precut blank according to claim 11, characterized in that the end liner device is a three-hinged device in which the main portion (80a, 80'a) and the end portion (80b, 80'b) of each link tab (80, 80') are attached respectively to the corresponding main panel (21-24) and to the corresponding end panel (61-64) via pre-marked transverse fold lines (83, 83', 85, 85'), and in that the length (fa) of the main portion and the length (ℓb) of the end portion of each link tab, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line (84, 84') and respectively the pre-marked transverse fold line (83, 83') attached to the main panel and the pre-marked transverse fold line (85, 85') attached to the end panel, are both less than half the transverse dimension of a main panel adjacent to the main panel to which the link tab is attached, defined as being the distance between the two longitudinal sides of the adjacent panel.
13. A precut blank according to claim 11 or claim 12, characterized in that the end liner device is a three-hinged device, and in that the length (fa) of the main portion (80a, 80'a) of a link tab, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line (84, 84') and the pre-marked transverse fold line (83, 83') attached to the main panel, is less the length (ℓb) of the end portion (80b, 80'b) of said link tab, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line (84, 84') and the pre-marked transverse fold line (85, 85') attached to the end panel.
14. A precut blank according to claim 13, characterized in that the length (fa) of the main portion (80a, 80'a) of a link tab is less than 5% to 20% of the length (fb) of the end portion (80b, 80'b) of said link tab.
15. A precut blank according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the end liner device is a two-hinged device, wherein the main portion (80a) of the link tab is attached to the corresponding main panel (21-24) by a pre-marked transverse fold line (41-44), while the end portion (80b) of each link tab is attached to the corresponding end panel (61-64) via a bending zone without any pre-marked transverse fold line, the blank being made as a single piece from a single sheet of card having weight greater than 180 g/m² and less than 2000 g/m².
16. A precut blank according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the end strip (60) presents an assembly flap (18a) that is secured to an end panel (61) and that is for being folded down and assembled against the other end panel (64) in order to give the end strip a closed outline.

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