EP3119685B1 - Pack for a product and method for packaging a product - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of packaging and relates in particular to an article packaging and an article packaging method.

When transporting fragile or valuable items, it is necessary to use a packaging that provides protection thereof, in particular that ensures impact resistance. Indeed, during transport or handling of the package, there is a high risk that it falls or is bumped, this leading to the partial or total deterioration of the article. It is also necessary to fix the article in a safe manner to prevent it from moving inside the packaging as a result of shock or delicate handling.

Foam-filled packagings, for example, which provide shock absorption, or packages comprising fastening elements by virtue of which the article is suspended, are known.

These packages are expensive, and have the disadvantage of being difficult to re-use, being partially destroyed during the unpacking of the article of the package.

It is known from the international patent application WO2010 / 108004 a packaging system having shock absorbing members for positioning and securing an article. This system is, however, limited to only one specific article geometry.

The German patent application DE102012006445 , the US patent application US2013 / 0140303 and US patents US5588806 and US4865200 disclose packages according to the prior art.

There is therefore, in general, a need for a reusable packaging, inexpensive, which protects an article vis-à-vis shock and can adapt to different geometries or article volumes.

The present invention aims to meet these needs and relates to an article package, comprising a receiving bottom of the article to be packaged, said bottom being covered by a cover to form a substantially rectangular package, characterized in that at least two pairs of tabs are formed on the face of the bottom intended to receive the article, called fixing face, each tab having a deformable portion connected to the fixing face along a fold line and foldable towards the attachment face, each tab being associated with one of the bottom edges so that the fold line of said tab is parallel to the bottom edge with which the tab is associated, the tabs of a pair of tabs being associated with two opposite edges of the tab; bottom and at least one pair of legs being associated with the longitudinal edges of the bottom and at least one pair of legs being associated with the transverse edges of the bottom, the legs being foldable around of the article for wrapping both in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the bottom, means for holding the tabs on the face of the deformable portion of each leg opposite to that facing the article to maintain the legs of a folded pair, flaps being further formed on all or part of each edge of the bottom and foldable at right angles to the attachment face so that the bottom forms a rectangular parallelepiped having an open face opposite the face for fixing, the lid being a rectangular parallelepiped having a face that can be opened and whose internal dimensions correspond to substantially to the outer dimensions of the bottom so that the bottom is received in the cover by tight fit, with the article to be packaged enclosed between the attachment face of the bottom and the cover.

The means for holding the tabs may be a strap with loops and hooks or a strap fabric or plastic material buckle metal or plastic, wrapping around the bottom and tabs to keep them folded against the article to be packaged, a strap with loops and hooks, one end of which is attached to one of the legs of one pair and which wraps around the bottom and the other leg of the pair to return to hook on the end fixed on the first leg of the pair for holding the two legs of the pair folded against the article to be wrapped, a loop strap, respectively hooks, fixed on a leg of a pair, projecting from said tab and attaching to a band hooks, respectively loops, fixed on the other leg of the pair, or a loop strap, respectively hooks, attaching to a hooked band, respectively loops, fixed on each leg of a pair to maintain the two legs of the pair folded against the article to be packaged.

A substantially rectangular package is understood to mean a rectangular or square package.

It should be noted that the lid and the bottom may be separate elements, but may also be in one piece, the lid being folded on the bottom by a common edge thereof, without departing from the frame of the present invention.

The lid is constituted by any substantially rectangular bottom with folded edges known to those skilled in the art and shaped to receive the package according to the present invention.

The folding flaps operating in pairs make it possible to hold the article firmly in the package and to isolate it from the edges of the package in order to provide an anti-shock property. The fact that at least one pair of tabs is formed for the transverse edges and for the longitudinal edges allows the article to be held in both directions, ensuring optimal attachment of the article.

Advantageously, the deformable nature of the tabs makes it possible to adapt to the shape of the article to be packaged.

The flaps strengthen the edges and corners of the packaging. Once the bottom placed in the lid, the flaps form between the edges of the lid and the article of the empty cells able to absorb lateral shocks.

The tight fit of the bottom in the lid helps to protect the article and enhance the side impact resistance in combination with the flaps, to prevent the article from moving in the package.

According to one embodiment, a reinforcing panel is disposed on the attachment face, between the attachment face and the article to be packaged.

This reinforcing panel reinforces the lateral impact resistance of the bottom, creating an additional thickness, and reinforcing the impact resistance of the fastening face itself.

The presence of a reinforcing panel therefore increases the overall stiffness of the package and provides better protection of the face of the article in contact with the attachment face.

According to one embodiment, the reinforcing panel is an insert on the attachment face, preferably bonded to the attachment face.

According to one embodiment, the reinforcing panel is constituted by two sub-reinforcement panels, respectively connected along a first and a second fold line formed on two opposite edges of the bottom, each panel having in the direction perpendicular to the first and second fold line a dimension corresponding to half the size of the bottom in this direction, the two sub-panels being folded along said fold lines on the attachment face to thereby form the reinforcing panel.

According to one embodiment, a pair of flaps is formed on each of two opposite edges of the bottom, each flap of a pair being formed at one end of the edge and having a portion connected to said edge by a fold line extending by a protruding portion beyond the adjacent perpendicular edge, said projecting portion being folded along a fold line extending said adjacent perpendicular edge to form a flap on said adjacent perpendicular edge.

The bottom can easily be assembled by the user.

The width of the projecting portion of the flap may advantageously be less than that of the portion of the flap connected to the edge, so that a reinforcing panel may be interposed between the projecting portion of the flap in its folded state and the face of fixation

According to one embodiment, reinforced flaps are formed on two opposite reinforced edges of the bottom, at each end of said two opposite reinforced edges, each reinforced flap comprising two flaps. formed on said reinforced edge, a first flap connected to the reinforced edge by a fold line and a second flap connected to the first flap by a fold line parallel to the reinforced edge, the edge of the second flap opposite to the edge connected to the first flap carrying a protrusion adapted to engage in a corresponding notch formed in the bottom when the second flap is folded over the first flap, the two flaps being folded at right angles to the bottom, the edge of the bottom adjacent the reinforced edge also carrying a flap in two parts, a first part connected to said edge and extending to the reinforced edge, and a second part connected to the first part by a fold line in the extension of the reinforced edge, said second part being intended to be sandwiched between the two flaps of the reinforced flap when they are folded on the bottom.

The reinforcement panel can then advantageously have notches corresponding to those formed in the bottom for receiving the projections of the reinforced flap.

The bottom flaps are thus thicker and stiffer, while being held in place which provides additional rigidity at the bottom.

According to one embodiment, at least one tab is formed on one of the bottom edges, extending perpendicularly to said edge, the tab corresponding to a corresponding notch on the lid.

Such a lug makes it possible to relatively well position the bottom and the lid, and allows additional rigidity of the assembled bottom and lid assembly, in the direction in which the leg extends.

According to a particular embodiment, the article package further comprises a box intended to receive the assembly of the bottom and the cover, the inner dimensions of the box corresponding to the outer dimensions of the assembled bottom and lid assembly.

The lid is thus held against the bottom in the box.

According to one embodiment, the tabs are glued to the bottom, each tab comprising a fixed part bonded to the bottom and the folding part connected to the fixed part along a fold line parallel to the bottom edge with which the tab is associated.

According to one embodiment, the tabs are cut in the bottom.

We thus obtain a maintenance of the article to be packaged which is more adaptable to the shape (parallelepiped, round, oval, ...) and the size of the article.

According to one embodiment, the bottom and / or the cover is made of cardboard, in particular corrugated, honeycombed or flat, or expanded polypropylene foam.

The packaging is thus inexpensive, easy to manufacture and assemble for the user, and lightweight.

According to one embodiment, the direction of the splines of the fixing face and the direction of the splines of the reinforcement panel are perpendicular.

The crossed directions of the grooves make it possible to reinforce the rigidity of the face of the package in contact with the article.

The legs may be of cardboard, the direction of the fluting of the cardboard forming each tab being parallel to the direction of the fold line of said tab. The length of the legs thus adapts more easily to the size of the object to be packaged.

According to one embodiment, the holding means are of the type with loops and hooks, for example of the type Velcro (registered trademark).

This type of attachment allows, together with the legs, to advantageously adapt the article package to different article forms. In addition, this type of attachment makes it possible to attach / release the article quickly and conveniently, and has the advantage of being reusable a large number of times.

Each tab can for example wear a hook tape, respectively loops, the two legs being connected by a loop strap, respectively hooks. One of the legs can also wear a loop strap, respectively hooks, projecting, attaching to a hook tape, respectively loops, fixed on the other leg of the pair. A strap may also surround the legs of a pair and the bottom, the strap having a flexible portion of fabric or plastic material, and a fastening element type buckle, metal or plastic.

Other reusable holding means, such as magnets, snaps, or reusable adhesive, attached in the same manner as indicated below for loop and hook assemblies, are also within the scope of the present invention. .

According to one embodiment, the bottom is rectangular, and comprises two pairs of tabs in the transverse direction of the bottom and a pair of tabs in the longitudinal direction of the bottom, for optimum retention of the article in its longitudinal direction.

• appliquer facultativement un panneau de renfort sur la face de fixation d'un fond ;
• positionner l'article sur la face de fixation ;
• rabattre sur l'article des pattes avec les moyens de maintien ;
• replier en équerre des rabats formés sur les bords du fond ;
• introduire par ajustement serré le fond dans le couvercle ; et
• facultativement insérer l'ensemble fond et couvercle dans une boîte.

The invention also relates to an article packaging method using the article packaging such as as described above, characterized by the fact that it comprises:

• optionally applying a reinforcing panel to the attachment face of a bottom;
• position the article on the attachment face;
• fold down on the article of the legs with the holding means;
• fold up the flaps formed at the edges of the bottom;
• insert by tight fit the bottom into the lid; and
• optionally insert the bottom and lid assembly into a box.

To better illustrate the object of the present invention will be described below, by way of illustration and not limited to, a particular embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing.

• la Figure 1 est une vue d'un flan de carton du fond d'un emballage selon un premier mode de réalisation de la présente invention ;
• la Figure 2 est une vue d'un flan de carton d'un panneau de renfort pour le fond de la Figure 1 ;
• la Figure 3 est une vue en perspective de l'assemblage des flans des Figures 1 et 2 pour former le fond d'un emballage selon le premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la Figure 4 est une vue en perspective du fond de la Figure 3 ayant un article fixé à celui-ci ;
• la Figure 5 est une vue en perspective du fond de la Figure 4 dans son état replié final ;
• la Figure 6 est une vue en perspective du fond de la Figure 5 en cours d'insertion dans un couvercle pour former l'emballage du premier mode de réalisation ;
• la Figure 7 est une vue en perspective de l'emballage de la Figure 6 finalisé ;
• la Figure 8 est une vue en perspective d'un fond selon un deuxième mode de réalisation ;
• la Figure 9 est une vue en perspective d'un fond selon une variante du premier mode de réalisation ;
• la Figure 10 est une vue en perspective du fond de la Figure 9 en cours de pliage ;
• la Figure 11 est une vue en perspective d'une variante du fond selon le deuxième mode de réalisation ; et
• la Figure 12 est une vue en perspective du fond de la Figure 11 en cours de pliage ;

On this drawing :

• the Figure 1 is a view of a carton blank of the bottom of a package according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
• the Figure 2 is a view of a cardboard blank of a reinforcement panel for the bottom of the Figure 1 ;
• the Figure 3 is a perspective view of the assembly of blanks Figures 1 and 2 to form the bottom of a package according to the first embodiment of the invention;
• the Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bottom of the Figure 3 having an article attached to it;
• the Figure 5 is a perspective view of the bottom of the Figure 4 in its final folded state;
• the Figure 6 is a perspective view of the bottom of the Figure 5 during insertion into a lid to form the package of the first embodiment;
• the Figure 7 is a perspective view of the packaging of the Figure 6 finalized;
• the Figure 8 is a perspective view of a bottom according to a second embodiment;
• the Figure 9 is a perspective view of a bottom according to a variant of the first embodiment;
• the Figure 10 is a perspective view of the bottom of the Figure 9 during folding;
• the Figure 11 is a perspective view of a variant of the bottom according to the second embodiment; and
• the Figure 12 is a perspective view of the bottom of the Figure 11 during folding;

Although the figures are described with reference to cardboard blanks, the invention is not limited in this respect, and other suitable materials, such as foamed expanded polypropylene, could be used for the implementation of the invention. invention, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the figures, the same elements will be designated by the same reference numbers.

If we refer to the Figure 1 it can be seen that there is shown a blank 1 of cardboard.

• un fond 2 destiné à recevoir sur le côté intérieur de celui-ci, appelé face de fixation 3, l'article à emballer ;
• quatre pattes 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d destinées à être repliées sur l'article à emballer pour caler celui-ci ; et
• des rabats 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d destinés à être repliés de manière à pouvoir loger l'ensemble article/fond dans un couvercle pour ainsi constituer une boîte fermée.

The blank 1 is advantageously made of reinforced cardboard and consists of an elongated rectangular strip comprising:

• a bottom 2 for receiving on the inner side thereof, called fixing face 3, the article to be packaged;
• four tabs 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d intended to be folded over the article to be packaged to wedge it; and
• flaps 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d to be folded so as to accommodate the article / bottom assembly in a lid to thereby form a closed box.

The tabs 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d are positioned, respectively, in the vicinity of each edge 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d of the bottom 2, in a U-shaped recess, advantageously at a central position on those -this. The tabs 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d consist of a rectangular strip extending longitudinally in the direction perpendicular to the edge on which they are positioned, from a fold line, respectively 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, connecting each tab, respectively 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d at the bottom 2, parallel to the edge, respectively 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and offset towards the center of the bottom 2 relative to the edges 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d.

Advantageously, the tabs 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d comprise grooves parallel to the fold line, spaced equidistantly, designed to facilitate the folding of the tab on the article and to accommodate different forms of Article. The grooves may also have different spacings on two legs of a pair, to accommodate more sizes and volumes of items to be packaged.

These grooves may be preformed on the legs, or when the legs are made of cardboard, the grooves may correspond to the grooves of the carton.

The tabs 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d comprise on the outer side opposite to the attachment face 3 a hook strip 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, stuck to it, extending in the longitudinal direction of the tab 4a. , 4b, 4c, 4d.

The bottom 2 comprises formed on the lateral edges 6a, 6c of the projecting portions 9a, 9d and 9b, 9c, respectively, having the tabs 4a, 4c therebetween, the role of which is explained below.

The flaps 5a, 5b and 5c, 5d are formed on the longitudinal edges 6b, 6d, respectively, of the bottom 2, having the tabs 4b, 4d therebetween.

Each flap 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d comprises a fold line respectively 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, parallel to and substantially aligned with the side edge 6a, 6c of the bottom 2, and dividing it into a main flap 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, connected to the longitudinal edges 6b, 6d of the bottom 2, by fold lines 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, and a secondary flap 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d. The width of the secondary flap 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d being smaller than that of the main flap 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, so that a reinforcement panel could be interposed between the secondary flap 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d in its folded state and the bottom 2.

If we refer to the Figure 2 it can be seen that there is shown a cardboard blank 14. The blank 14 is advantageously made of reinforced cardboard. In particular, the cardboard may be of the flat, cellular or corrugated type. The blank 14 has a geometry such that it can be applied as a reinforcement panel 15 stuck on the bottom 2 of the Figure 1 . The blank 14 has recesses 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d U-shaped, identical to the recesses of the blank 1 of the Figure 1 on the edges 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d so as not to cover the tabs 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d when the reinforcing panel 15 is applied to the bottom 2. The blank 14 has formed on the side edges 17c , 17a, projecting portions 18a, 18b and 18c, 18d so as to correspond to the projections 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, formed on the blank 1 of the Figure 1 once the reinforcing panel 15 is applied to the fixing face 3. The blank 14 has notches 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d formed on the side edges 17a, 17c, respectively, extending from the side edges 17b, 17d of the reinforcement panel 15, whose role is explained below.

The reinforcement panel 15 advantageously has grooves (not shown) oriented perpendicular to the grooves (not shown) of the bottom 2 of the Figure 1 , so as to reinforce the strength of the package once the reinforcement panel 15 has been applied to the fixing face 3.

On the Figure 3 it can be seen that the assembly of the reinforcing panel 15 is shown on the bottom 2. Advantageously, the reinforcing panel 15 is glued to the bottom 2. The tabs 4a, 4b, 4d are represented at different stages folding, the tab 4c being shown flat.

We will now describe the assembly of the packaging with reference to Figures 4 to 7 .

Figure 4:

The article 19 to be packaged is deposited on the reinforcing panel 15 applied on the bottom 2. The tabs 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d are folded and folded over the article 19. A loop strip 20a, 20b is applied on and come connecting two hook strips 8a, 8c and 8b, 8d, respectively, located opposite to the article 19, so as to securely fasten the entire article 19 / bottom 2. On the Figure 4 , the loop strips 20a, 20b protrude from the hook strips 8a, 8c and 8b, 8d, so as to adapt to different forms of article 19 to be packaged.

Figure 5:

The main flaps 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d and the secondary flaps 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d are folded inwards, the edges 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d of the secondary flaps 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d coming into place. advantageously housed in the notches 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d provided for this purpose.

Figure 6:

The article 19 / bottom 2 assembly is turned over and positioned above a lid 22 of suitable size laid flat, the inside of the article 19 / bottom 2 assembly facing towards the inside of the lid 22, the cover 22 having notches 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d for receiving the projecting portions 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d of the blank 1 and 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d of the blank 14 superimposed.

Figure 7:

The article 19 / bottom 2 assembly is positioned inside the cover 22, using the notches 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d and projecting portions 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d of the blank 1 and 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d of the blank 14 superimposed for optimum positioning of the bottom 2 in the cover 22 and a stiffening of the assembly in the direction in which are formed the projecting portions (in the longitudinal direction on the shown embodiment). The packaging thus formed is ready to be inserted in a crate for shipping.

On the Figure 8 it can be seen that, according to a second embodiment, a blank 24 similar to the blank 1 of FIG. Figure 1 . Elements similar to those of the first embodiment will have identical reference numerals. The blank 24 has sub-panels 24a, 24b formed on the side edges 6a, 6c, respectively, of the bottom 2. The sub-panels 24a and 24b have recesses 27a and 27c so as to house the tabs 4a and 4c, respectively when the blank 24 is in its expanded state. The sub-panel 24b has fold lines 25b1, 25b2, 25b3 and 25b4, parallel to the edge 6c, the fold lines 25b2 and 25b3 being formed on the edges 6c. The similar sub-panel 24a is symmetrically formed. The sub-panels 24a, 24b are able to be folded inwards so as to constitute a reinforcement panel similar to the reinforcement panel 15 of the first embodiment. The sub-panels 24a and 24b have projecting portions 26a and 26b extending from the edge opposite the edge bearing the fold so that when the panels 24a and 24b are folded over the attachment face 3, the legs 4b and 4d are not covered. On the Figure 8 , the panel 24a is shown completely folded over the fixing face 3. The tabs 4a and 4d are shown folded, the tabs 4b and 4c being flat. The flaps 5c and 5d are represented during folding inwards and completely folded, respectively, the flaps 5a and 5b being shown flat.

On the Figure 9 it can be seen that there is shown an assembly of a blank 28 and a blank 29 constituting a reinforcement panel 15 constituting a variant of the first embodiment. The blank 28 comprises flaps 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d positioned in a manner similar to the flaps 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d of the blank 1 on the blank. Figure 1 . The flap 29a is constituted by a main flap 29a1 connected to the edge 6b by a fold line corresponding to the edge 6b, a secondary flap 29a2, a strip 29a3 between these and connected to the outer longitudinal edges of the main flap 29a1 and inside the flap secondary 29a2 by fold lines 29a4 and 29a5 respectively parallel to the longitudinal edge 6b. The secondary flap 29a2 has on its outer longitudinal edge a projecting portion 29a6 intended to be inserted into a corresponding notch 29a7 formed in the longitudinal edge 6b of the bottom 2 when the flap 29a is folded, a stackable notch being formed in the blank 29. Similar flaps 29b, 29c and 29d are correspondingly formed. The blank 28 also has on the side edges 6a, 6c of the flaps 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d. The flap 30a has a fold line 30a1 parallel to and substantially aligned with the longitudinal edge 6b, and dividing it into a main flap 30a2, connected to the side edge 6a by a fold line 31a, and a secondary flap 30a3. Similar flaps 30b, 30c and 30d are correspondingly formed.

On the Figure 10 , we can see that we have represented the assembly of the Figure 9 in the process of folding. The identical elements in the flaps of the two Figures bear corresponding reference numerals, only the reference to flap (a, b, c or d) changing. The flaps 29c and 30c are being folded inwards, the secondary flap 30c3 being intended to be sandwiched between the flaps 29c1 and 29c2, the lower edge of the secondary flap 30c3 being intended to rest on the bottom 2, the projecting portion 29c6 being intended then to be inserted into the notch 29c7. The flaps 29d and 30d are in the folded position. The tabs 4a and 4d are in the folded position.

It should be noted that the combination of the flaps leads on the one hand to stiffen the packaging at the corners. On the other hand, thanks to the coupling of the projecting parts in corresponding notches of the bottom, this configuration is fixed, to keep the entire article 19 / bottom 2 flat and to cover it with a cover 22 from above, without having to manipulate the entire article 19 / bottom 2. This is particularly advantageous in the case of heavy or fragile items and greatly facilitates the packaging operation by an operator.

On the Figure 11 it can be seen that there is shown an assembly of a blank 32 and a blank 33 as reinforcement panel 15, similarly to the assembly of the Figure 9 . The blank 32 has on the longitudinal edges 6b and 6d two tabs 4b ', 4b "and 4d', 4d", respectively. The tabs 4b ', 4b ", 4d', 4d" have on their outer side hook strips 8b ', 8b ", 8d', 8d", respectively. The tabs are each distributed at the same distance from the adjacent end of the longitudinal edge 6b, 6d and positioned so that the tabs 4b ', 4b "and 4d', 4d" are respectively opposite. The blank 32 has flaps 34a, 34b formed on the longitudinal edges 6b, 6d. The blanks 32 and 33 comprise recesses 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d and 36a, 36b, 36c and 36d, respectively, so as to house the tabs 4b ', 4b ", 4d', 4d". The flap 34a is constituted by three main flaps 34a1, 34a2, 34a3 connected to the edge 6b by a fold line, positioned such that the tabs 4b 'and 4b "are sandwiched between two main flaps, three strips 34a5, 34a6 , 34a7 respectively connected to the outer edge of each main flap 34a1, 34a2, 34a3 by fold lines 34a9, 34a10, 34a11 and the inner edge of a secondary flap 34a8 by fold lines 34a12, 34a13, 34a14 parallel to the longitudinal edge The secondary flap 34a8 has on its outer edge three protruding parts 34a15, 36a16, 36a17 intended to be inserted into respective notches 34a18, 34a19, 34a20 formed near the longitudinal edge 6b of the bottom 2 when the flap 34a The flap 34b is symmetrically shaped.

It should be noted that the previous assembly could have more flaps, notches and protruding parts, to have more legs, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The flaps 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d having a structure identical to that described with reference to the Figure 9 will not be described in more detail, the same reference figures as those of the Figure 9 being reported.

On the Figure 12 , we can see that we have represented the assembly of the Figure 11 in the process of folding. The flap 34b is shown folded. The folding step of the flap 34b requires the tabs 4d ', 4d "to be folded inwards first, then to fold the flaps 30c and 30d so that the secondary flaps 30c3 and 30d3 are sandwiched between the main flaps 34b1 and 34b3, respectively, and the secondary flap 34b8, the protruding portions 34b15, 36b16, 36b17 then being inserted into the corresponding notches 34b18, 34b19, 34b20.

It is understood that the above embodiments of the present invention have been given for information and not limitation and that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (13)

1. Packaging for an article, comprising a bottom (2) for receiving the article (19) to be packed, at least two pairs of tabs (4a,4b,4c,4d) being formed on the face of the bottom (2) intended to receive the article (19), designated fastening face (3), each tab (4a,4b,4c,4d) having a deformable part connected to the fastening face along a folding line (7a,7b,7c,7d) and being foldable towards the fastening face (3), each tab (4a,4b,4c,4d) being associated with one of the edges (6a,6b,6c,6d) of the bottom (2) such that the folding line (7a,7b,7c,7d) of said tab (4a,4b,4c,4d) is parallel to the edge (7a,7b,7c,7d) of the bottom (2) with which the tab (4a,4b,4c,4d) is associated, the tabs (4a,4b,4c,4d) of one pair of tabs (4a,4b,4c,4d) being associated with two opposed edges (6a,6b,6c,6d) of the bottom (2) and at least one pair of tabs (4b,4d) being associated with the longitudinal edges (6b,6d) of the bottom (2) and at least one pair of tabs (4a,4c) being associated with the transverse edges (6a,6c) of the bottom (2), the tabs (4a,4b,4c,4d) being foldable around the article (19) to wrap it both in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the bottom (2), means (8a,8c) for holding the tabs (4a,4c) applying on the face of the deformable part of each tab (4a,4c) opposed to that facing the article (19) for holding the tabs (4a,4c) of one pair folded, flaps (5a,5b,5c,5d) being formed on all or part of each edge (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) of the bottom (2) and foldable at a right angle with respect to the fastening face (3) such that the bottom (2) forms a rectangular parallelepiped having an open face facing the fastening face (3), characterized in that the bottom is covered by a cover (22) in order to constitute a substantially rectangular packaging, the cover (22) being a rectangular parallelepiped having a face able to be opened and whose inner dimensions substantially correspond to the outer dimensions of the bottom (2) such that the bottom (2) is received within the cover by interference fit, with the article (19) to be packed being enclosed between the fastening face (3) of the bottom (2) and the cover (22), reinforced flaps (29a,29b,29c,29d) being formed on two opposed reinforced edges (6b, 6d) of the bottom (2), at each end of said two opposed reinforced edges (6b,6d), each reinforced flap (29a,29b,29c,29d) comprising two sections (29a1,29a2,29b1, 29b2,29c1,29c2,29d1,29d2) formed on said reinforced edge (6b,6d), a first section (29a1,29b1,29c1,29d1) connected to the reinforced edge (6b,6d) by a folding line (12,12b,12c,12d) and a second section (29a2,29b2,29c2,29d2) connected to the first section (29a1,29b1,29c1,29d1) by a folding line (29a4,29a5,29b4,29b5,29c4,29c5,29d4,29d5) parallel to the reinforced edge (6b,6d), the edge of the second section (29a2,29b2,29c2,29d2) opposed to the edge connected to the first section (29a1,29b1,29c1,29d1) carrying a protrusion (29a6,29b6,29c6,29d6) able to engage within a corresponding notch (29a7,29b7,29c7,29d7) formed in the bottom (2) when the second section (29a2,29b2,29c2,29c2) is folded on the first section (29a1,29b1,29c1,29c1), both sections being folded at a right angle on the bottom, the edge (6a,6c) of the bottom adjacent to the reinforced edge (6b,6d) further carrying a two-part flap (30a,30b,30c,30d), a first part (30a2,30b2,30c2,30d2) connected to said edge (6a,6c) and extending up to the reinforced edge (6b,6d), and a second part (30a3,30b3,30c3,30d3) connected to the first part (30a2,30b2,30c2,30d2) by a folding line (30a1,30b1,30c1,30d1) in the extension of the reinforced edge (6b,6d), said second part (30a3,30b3,30c3,30d3) being intended to be sandwiched between both sections (29a1,29a2,29b1,29b2,29c1,29c2,29d1, 29d2) of the reinforced flap (29a,29b,29c,29d) when they are folded on the bottom (2).
2. The article packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that a reinforcement panel (15) is arranged on the fastening face (3), between the fastening face (3) and the article (19) to be packed.
3. The article packaging according to claim 2, characterized in that the reinforcement panel (15) is a piece added on the fastening face (3), preferably bonded on the fastening face (3).
4. The article packaging according to claim 2, characterized in that the reinforcement panel (15) is constituted by two reinforcement sub-panels (24a,24b), respectively connected along first (25a1,25a4,25b1,25b4) and second (25a2,25a3,25b2,25b3) folding lines formed on two opposed edges (6a,6c) of the bottom, each panel having, in the direction perpendicular to the first (25a1, 25a4, 25b1, 25b4) and second (25a2,25a3,25b2,25b3) folding lines, a dimension corresponding to half of the dimension of the bottom (2) in this direction, both sub-panels (24a,24b) being folded along said folding lines (25a1, 25a4, 25b1, 25b4, 25a2, 25a3, 25b2, 25b3) on the fastening face (3) in order to constitute thereby the reinforcement panel (15).
5. The article packaging according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that at least one tab (9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) is formed on one of the edges (6a,6b,6c,6d) of the bottom (2), corresponding to a corresponding notch (23a,23b,23c,23d) on the cover (22).
6. The article packaging according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that it further comprises a box intended to receive the assembly of the bottom (2) and the cover (22), the inner dimensions of the box corresponding to the outer dimensions of the assembled bottom (2) and cover (22) assembly.
7. The article packaging according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the tabs (4a,4b,4c,4d) are bonded on the bottom (2), each tab (4a,4b,4c,4d) comprising a fixed part bonded on the bottom (2) and the foldable part connected to the fixed part along a folding line (7a,7b,7c,7d) parallel to the edge (6a,6b,6c,6d) of the bottom (2) with which the tab (4a,4b,4c,4d) is associated.
8. The article packaging according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the tabs (4a,4b,4c,4d) are cut in the bottom (2).
9. The article packaging according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the bottom (2) and/or the cover (22) is made of cardboard or alveolar expanded polypropylene.
10. The article packaging according to claim 9 when dependent on one of claims 2-8, characterized in that the direction of the flutes of the fastening face (3) and the direction of the flutes of the reinforcement panel (15) are perpendicular.
11. The article packaging according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the tabs (4a,4b,4c,4d) are made of cardboard, the direction of the flutes of the cardboard forming each tab (4a,4b,4c,4d) being parallel to the direction of the folding line (7a,7b,7c,7d) of said tab (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) .
12. The article packaging according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that the holding means (8a,8b,8c,8d, 20a,20b) are of hook and loop type.
13. A method of packaging an article using the article packaging according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that it comprises:

    - optionally applying a reinforcement panel (15) on the fastening face (3) of a bottom (2);

    - positioning the article (19) on the fastening face (3) ;

    - folding tabs (4a,4b,4c,4d) on the article (19) with the holding means (8a,8b,8c,8d,20a,20b);

    - folding at a right angle flaps (5a,5b,5c,5d) formed on the edges (6b,6d) of the bottom (2);

    - introducing by interference fit the bottom (2) within the cover (22); and

    - optionally inserting the bottom (2) and cover (22) assembly within a box.

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