EP4021822B1 - Heat-shrinkable packaging - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of packaging and more particularly to shrink packaging intended to coat a series of containers.

The present invention further relates to a method for packaging containers with packaging.

The present invention further relates to a shrink wrap blank.

Shrink packaging is a product well known to manufacturers and consumers. Shrink wrap film is very versatile in view of the type of items to be packaged or in view of the different sizes of items. In fact, shrink packaging is used whether for food packaging, containers or any other item that can be packaged. Also, shrink wraps can wrap any type of items of any size, both large and small.

A large number of qualities are also known from shrink packaging. They are waterproof to protect the packed items from rain, humidity, condensation or dust. They are aesthetic, printed or not, with perfect transparency or with different degrees of opacity, in order to make the packaging attractive to consumers. Finally, they must have a resistance in order to withstand various mechanical stresses, to prevent them from tearing during transport, during storage in supermarkets or even during movement by consumers.

Often, the most conventional shrink wraps for containers include an additional central handle for moving the wrap that holds the containers. This type of handle generally consists of a first part in transparent or printed plastic used for gripping and reinforcement parts intended to be fixed to the packaging.

The presence of such a handle is problematic since it is generally made of a reinforcement of paper, flexible cardboard or even foam, for example synthetic, which is different from the material of the packaging film, which must lead to sorting materials, contradictory with the prospect of optimizing recycling. In addition, such a handle requires a laying machine integrated into the shrink packaging production line, which is substantial and costly. Finally, the additional handle has a significant cost per unit.

Currently, there is a packaging that partially solves the drawbacks mentioned above. This packaging is known from the document WO2009/038679 .

• une partie inférieure correspondant à un fond,
• une partie supérieure, opposée à ladite partie inférieure et correspondant à un recouvrement desdits conteneurs qui sont agencés en rangées parallèles les unes par rapport aux autres, ladite partie supérieure comprenant une zone centrale et une zone périphérique,
• des parties latérales reliant la partie inférieure à la partie supérieure,

This document discloses a shrink wrap intended to wrap a series of containers, comprising:

• a lower part corresponding to a bottom,
• an upper part, opposite to said lower part and corresponding to an overlap of said containers which are arranged in rows parallel to each other, said upper part comprising a central zone and a peripheral zone,
• side parts connecting the lower part to the upper part,

said packaging having a reinforcing strip arranged transversely to the parallel rows of containers.

Indeed, the shrink packaging according to this document comprises a reinforcing strip, which forms a handle, coating the containers. The packaging and the reinforcement strip are brought into contact beforehand, one on top of the other, then an incision step will take place in order to create two slots on the packaging, on either side of the strip. . This allows the consumer to slide their fingers into the slots and grasp the handle formed by the film and the strip to move the package.

Unfortunately, this type of packaging makes handling difficult. In fact, the creation of the slits occurs after the assembly of the film and the strip, and these are therefore likely to be incorrectly positioned, which results in poor balance of the packaging and difficult handling for transport. The slits are made before heat shrinking the packaging film and are of sufficient width to allow the user's fingers to pass through. Consequently, they can be deformed during heat shrinkage and form a packaging that is difficult to handle for handlers or end consumers.

In addition, in a store it is often necessary to move packages quickly without risking unwanted tearing. The packaging known according to this prior document presents a risk of tearing in the event of incorrect positioning of the various elements such as the reinforcing strip or the opening slots. The packaging that can be weakened no longer guarantees the protection of the containers because its strength is considerably reduced.

In addition, this type of packaging is not designed so that the consumer can easily extract a container, both in a store than at home. To extract a container from the shrink wrap according to this prior document, the user must force the tear of the wrapping film from the slot towards the outside of the wrap. As the packaging film must be very resistant, this operation is complicated and sometimes impossible, for example for the elderly. This then contributes to additional deformation of the packaging, which is all the more weakened, its strength is critically reduced and it remains very difficult to move without the containers falling or else the packaging completely breaking.

The mess is typically unattractive for the consumer who no longer has any attraction for the bottles of a packaging torn in a forced manner and who will prefer to tear a new packaging to extract the containers therefrom. It is therefore easily understandable that the next consumer will also prefer to tear up a new packaging because the previous ones are rendered unattractive, thus causing disorder on the shelves of supermarkets.

Also, during forced tearing of the packaging, pieces of torn packaging film are spread on the other packaging or on the floor. This forms a palette of unattractive packaging for the consumer. This effect is well known to supermarkets, which must rely on the work of handlers to arrange the shelves, collect the residues of torn packaging or even collect packaging that has been completely torn.

There is therefore a real need to provide manufacturers, supermarkets, handlers and consumers with shrink packaging allowing it to be moved in a simplified manner, and in which opening the packaging and removing the containers are facilitated, thus avoiding forced, irregular and unwanted tears.

To solve these problems, the present invention provides a shrink-wrapped packaging as indicated above, characterized in that it comprises at least two lines of perforation which, in the central zone of the upper part of the packaging , are arranged parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcing strip, and each of which, in the peripheral zone of the upper part of the packaging, gradually diverges from the reinforcing strip .

By the terms “central zone”, is meant within the meaning of the present invention, the surface of the upper part corresponding to an overlap which is substantially parallel to the lower part corresponding to a bottom. In other words, the central zone is in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lower part corresponding to the bottom of the package.

For example, in the case of bottle-type containers, the central zone of a packaging according to the invention is a zone which extends from the center of the upper part to the outer ends of the necks, necks, caps and other closures. containers.

By the terms “peripheral zone”, is meant within the meaning of the present invention, the surface of the upper part, peripheral and substantially oblique with respect to said central zone. In other words, the peripheral zone is located as a whole, in a plane secant to the plane of the central zone and to the plane of the lower part corresponding to a bottom.

For example, in the case of bottle-type containers, the peripheral zone of the packaging according to the invention is a zone which extends from the outer end of the necks, necks, stoppers and other closures of the containers to the parts bodies of storytellers, for example the shoulder parts of bottle-shaped containers.

The packaging according to the present invention allows opening in two stages.

During a first step the user, the storekeeper, the handler, can break the two lines of perforation arranged on the central zone by pushing the fingers of one hand on either side of the reinforcement strip which creates said handle, thus allowing easy movement of the package.

It has thus appeared according to the present invention, and this in a particularly advantageous manner, that providing a shrink-wrapped packaging comprising at least two lines of perforation which, in the central zone of the upper part of the packaging, are arranged parallel to one another 'other, on either side of the reinforcement strip, allows a simplified movement of the package.

During a second step, the two lines of perforation arranged on the peripheral zone are broken in order to allow the opening of the shrink-wrapping and the removal of the containers in a simple and facilitated manner, without requiring insurmountable physical effort.

Providing a shrink-wrapped packaging according to the invention comprising at least two perforation lines which, in the peripheral zone of the upper part of the packaging, progressively deviate from the reinforcement strip, thus allowing simplified and easy opening of the packaging and therefore easy removal of the containers avoiding forced, irregular and undesirable tears.

The shrink packaging according to the present invention therefore provides a packaging having the two functionalities sought, both by users, handlers, manufacturers and supermarkets when the first stage of storage and movement of the packaging and both by consumers when opening the packaging at home or elsewhere.

Indeed, the at least two lines of perforation arranged on the central zone, make it possible, when they break, to create a first opening serving for the passage of the fingers of the user to grasp the handle formed by the reinforcement strip and the packaging film according to the present invention.

In addition, the formation of the first opening from the two lines of perforation arranged on the central zone makes it possible to maintain the holding of the packaging even after their rupture, by making it possible to maintain a shape similar to that of origin and by limiting deformations and the risk of accidental tearing during movement.

The presence of the two lines of perforation which, in the peripheral zone of the upper part of the package, progressively deviate from the reinforcement strip, makes it possible to provide a package according to the present invention with a second opening guided and facilitated for removal. containers. Indeed, when they break, the user can easily, in a guided and precise manner, open the shrink packaging in order to remove the containers, and this, without forced or irregular tears and thus avoiding the formation of residues of unwanted packaging that can litter the floor and without requiring considerable effort to gain access to the containers.

In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, said reinforcement strip comprises a tackifier by which it is fixed to an interior surface of said shrink wrap enclosing the series of containers.

Indeed, the reinforcing strip provided with a sticking agent makes it possible to be opposed in a fixed and precise manner to the packaging by limiting the risks of undesirable displacements thereof.

Further, the reinforcement strip by being attached to an inner surface of the package and encasing the containers makes it possible to increase the overall strength of the package in such a way that the overall strength is the sum of the strength of the strip and the strength of the packaging as such. This allows a better resistance of the packaging to tearing or breaking when moving it using the handle.

It is understood that the adhesive reinforcing strip can also be attached to an outer surface of the packaging or that it can even be provided integrated into the body of the packaging film at the time of its manufacture.

In a variant according to the present invention, said packaging and said reinforcing strip are of at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, preferably at least 90%, preferably at least 95% similar material.

Indeed, the packaging and the reinforcing strip according to the present invention, being of a similar material, take into account the constraints of recycling, facilitate this and consequently avoid an additional step of sorting the materials.

Advantageously, said reinforcement strip according to the present invention has a width of between 1 cm and 7 cm, preferably between 2 cm and 7 cm, preferentially between 2 cm and 6 cm, preferably between 3 cm and 6 cm, advantageously between 4cm and 6cm.

Advantageously according to the present invention, said at least two lines of perforation are each interrupted by at least one non-perforated interval having a predetermined length.

In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, said at least two lines of perforation have perforations spaced from each other by at least one space having a predetermined length, and wherein said at least one unperforated interval is of a length at least 1.5 times greater than said space between perforations, preferably at least 2 times greater, and preferably at least 2.5 times greater than this space between perforations.

By being interrupted by at least one unperforated gap, the two lines of perforation are more resistant to accidental opening. Indeed, the opening of the packaging according to the present invention is advantageously carried out in two stages as presented above. The first step of opening the perforation lines located on the central area allows the creation of the handle for moving the package. The presence of a non-perforated interval located preferably at the junction of the central zone and the peripheral zone, makes it possible to create an abutment after this first opening step and which prevents the involuntary tearing of the perforations located on the peripheral zone. The second step of opening the perforation lines located on the peripheral zone then allows, deliberately and easily, the opening of the packaging and the easy removal of the containers.

In another embodiment of the present invention, said at least two lines of perforations, in the central zone of the upper part of the packaging, may comprise at least a starter part, thus facilitating their breaking. The two lines of perforations in the central zone are therefore arranged substantially parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcing strip.

In a variant according to the present invention, said containers are chosen from the group consisting of bottles, tins, jars, boxes for liquids, cartons, and cans. Bottles can be glass, plastic, PET, HDPE, PVC, PP, PC, PLA. Jars can be glass, plastic, metal. The boxes for liquids can be cardboard boxes or even tetrapack ^® .

Advantageously, according to the present invention, a row of containers contains two, three or four containers.

Other embodiments of the shrink wrap according to the present invention are indicated in the appended claims.

• une amenée d'un film rétractable sur au moins une bande transporteuse, suivant une direction de déplacement déterminée,
• un agencement desdits conteneurs sur ladite au moins une bande transporteuse munie dudit film rétractable, lesdits conteneurs étant disposés en rangées parallèles les unes par rapport aux autres, lesdites rangées étant agencées perpendiculairement à ladite direction de déplacement du film,
• un fardelage desdits conteneurs à l'aide dudit film rétractable formant un emballage de film rétractable autour desdits conteneurs, et
• une rétractation à la chaleur dudit film rétractable contenant lesdits conteneurs, en vue de maintenir lesdits conteneurs, serrés les uns contre les autres,
• un positionnement d'une bande de renforcement sur ledit film rétractable, parallèlement à ladite direction de déplacement d'amenée du film.

The present invention also relates to a process for packaging containers with a packaging according to the present invention, comprising the steps of:

• a supply of a shrink film on at least one conveyor belt, in a determined direction of movement,
• an arrangement of said containers on said at least one conveyor belt provided with said shrink film, said containers being arranged in rows parallel to each other, said rows being arranged perpendicular to said direction of movement of the film,
• bundling said containers with said shrink wrap forming a shrink wrap around said containers, and
• heat shrinking said shrink film containing said containers, with a view to keeping said containers tight against each other,
• a positioning of a reinforcing strip on said shrink film, parallel to said direction of film feed movement.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that it further comprises a step of incising in said shrink film at least two lines of perforation which, in the central zone of the upper part of the packaging, are arranged parallel to each other, on either side of the reinforcing strip, and each of which, in the peripheral zone of the upper part of the package, gradually deviates from the reinforcing strip.

It has appeared in a particularly advantageous manner that the method according to the present invention makes it possible to provide a shrink-wrapped packaging to be opened in two stages, with the formation of a handle allowing movement in a simplified manner, and then the formation of one or more openings of the easy removal packaging from containers is facilitated, avoiding forced, irregular and undesirable tears.

Advantageously, according to the method of the present invention, the supply comprises an unwinding of the shrink film from a supply roll, and the positioning of the reinforcing strip takes place on the shrink film before said supply step, on a surface of the film which forms an interior surface of said packaging after wrapping.

The positioning of the reinforcing strip on the inner surface of the shrink film advantageously makes it possible to provide a shrink wrapper having a higher mechanical strength and to better withstand the stresses occurring during its gripping and its movement.

In an advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention further comprises at least one step of cutting the shrink film which takes place after said positioning of the reinforcing strip and before said feeding step.

In another particularly advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, said incision step takes place before said shrink film is brought onto the conveyor belt.

Advantageously, said incision step of the method according to the invention takes place before said unwinding of the shrink film from said supply roll.

For example, according to the method of the present invention, the step of incising the two lines of incision takes place before the unwinding of the shrink film. The step of positioning the reinforcement strip takes place after the unwinding of the shrink film and before the step of positioning the containers. This advantageously makes it possible to position the reinforcement strip perfectly with respect to the incision lines and therefore to have a balanced final shrink wrapper that is easily handled and moved.

Advantageously, said method according to the present invention further comprises at least one step of printing at least one pattern on said film before and/or after said feeding step.

In a variant of the method according to the present invention, said at least one printing step takes place before and/or after said step of incising said shrink film.

Other embodiments of the process according to the invention are indicated in the appended claims.

The present invention also relates to a shrink-wrapping blank intended to wrap a series of containers by wrapping, based on a shrink-wrap film of rectangular shape, having two short sides in width and two long sides in length.

The shrink packaging blank according to the present invention is characterized in that it has a reinforcing strip which extends between the two short sides halfway between the two long sides as well as, in the center of the blank, at least two rows of perforations which are arranged parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcing strip, and which at each of their ends gradually diverge from the reinforcing strip.

Other embodiments of the packaging blank according to the invention are indicated in the appended claims.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un emballage rétractable selon l'invention comprenant 6 bouteilles.
• La figure 2 est une vue d'en haut de l'emballage rétractable de la figure 1.
• La figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'un emballage rétractable selon l'invention comprenant 6 bouteilles, après rupture des perforations situées dans la zone centrale.
• La figure 4 est une vue d'en haut de l'emballage rétractable de la figure 3.
• La figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'un emballage rétractable selon l'invention comprenant 6 bouteilles, après rupture des perforations situées dans la zone centrale et rupture des perforations situées dans la zone périphérique.
• La figure 6 est une vue d'en haut de l'emballage rétractable de la figure 5.
• La figure 7 est une vue schématique latérale d'un dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé selon la présente invention.
• La figure 8 est une vue schématique en perspective du dispositif selon la figure 7.
• La figure 9 est une vue d'en haut du flan d'emballage selon la présente invention.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description given below, without limitation and with reference to the appended drawings.

• There figure 1 is a perspective view of a shrink wrap according to the invention comprising 6 bottles.
• There picture 2 is a top view of the shrink wrap of the figure 1 .
• There picture 3 is a perspective view of a shrink wrapper according to the invention comprising 6 bottles, after breaking the perforations located in the central zone.
• There figure 4 is a top view of the shrink wrap of the picture 3 .
• There figure 5 is a perspective view of a shrink wrapper according to the invention comprising 6 bottles, after breaking the perforations located in the central zone and breaking the perforations located in the peripheral zone.
• There figure 6 is a top view of the shrink wrap of the figure 5 .
• There figure 7 is a schematic side view of a device for implementing the method according to the present invention.
• There figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the device according to figure 7 .
• There figure 9 is a top view of the packaging blank according to the present invention.

In the figures, identical or similar elements bear the same references. It should also be noted that for reasons of ease of drawing, only the figure 1 shows packaging with the shrink film on the wrapped bottles. In the following figures, the representation is more schematic.

There figure 1 illustrates a shrink wrapper 1 comprising 6 containers 2. The shrink wrapper 1 comprises a lower part 3 corresponding to a bottom and located in a first plane. The shrink-wrapped packaging 1 comprises an upper part 4 which is opposite the lower part 3, and which corresponds to a covering of the containers 2, which are arranged in rows parallel to each other.

The upper part 4 comprises a central zone 5 which is a surface substantially parallel to the lower part 3 corresponding to a bottom. Also, the central zone 5 is located in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane of the lower part 3 corresponding to a bottom.

The central zone 5 of a packaging according to the invention is a zone which extends from the center of the upper part 4 to the outer ends of the necks, necks, plugs and other closures of the containers 2.

The upper part 4 of a packaging according to the invention comprises a peripheral zone 6 which is a surface of the upper part 4, peripheral and substantially oblique with respect to the central zone 5. Also, the peripheral zone 6 as a whole is , in a third plane secant to the first and second planes respectively of the bottom part 3 and of the central zone 5.

The peripheral zone 6 of a packaging according to the invention is therefore a zone which extends from the outer end of the necks, necks, stoppers or other closures of the containers 2 to the body parts of the containers 2. For example, in the example illustrated, the peripheral zone 6 covers the shoulder parts of the containers 2 in the form of a bottle.

The shrink packaging 1 also comprises side parts 7 connecting the lower part 3 to the upper part 4. In addition the side parts 7 of the packaging 1 cover the body parts of the containers 2.

In addition, the shrink-wrapped packaging 1 comprises a reinforcing strip 8, arranged transversely to the parallel rows of the containers 2. In the example illustrated, the reinforcing strip 8 comprises a sticky agent and is arranged to be fixed on an interior surface of the packaging 1 wrapping the containers 2. Thus, the reinforcement strip 8 makes it possible to increase the overall resistance of the packaging 1 in such a way that the overall resistance is the sum of the resistance of the reinforcement strip 8 and of the resistance of packaging 1 as such. This allows a better resistance of the package 1 to tearing and breaking when moving using the handle.

In the example illustrated, the reinforcement strip 8 is provided with a tiny percentage of sticking agent, it is therefore considered that the reinforcement strip 8 and the packaging 1 are made of a similar material, this making it possible to take into account account recycling constraints and facilitate it by avoiding an additional step of sorting materials for recycling of the packaging 1 according to the invention.

The reinforcement strip 8 shown has a width of between 2 cm and 6 cm, this allowing better resistance of the packaging 1 when it is moved using the handle.

The shrink-wrapped packaging 1 shown comprises two lines of perforations 9a, 9b, shown with a solid line bracket, which, in the central zone 5 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1 are arranged parallel to each other. , on either side of the reinforcing strip 8.

In an embodiment of the present invention not illustrated, the two lines of perforations 9a, 9b, in the central zone 5 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1 can comprise at least a starter part, thus facilitating the rupture perforation lines 9a and 9b they are therefore arranged substantially parallel to each other, on either side of the reinforcing strip 8.

The two perforation lines 9a and 9b located in the central zone 5 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1 make it possible, when they break, to create a first opening 13 serving for the passage of the fingers of the user (see figure 3 And 4 ). This opening 13 also allows the user to grasp the handle formed by the reinforcing strip 8 and the packaging film.

It has appeared in a particularly advantageous manner that, even after the two perforation lines 9a and 9b have broken, the shrink-wrapped packaging 1 retains a similar shape and a similar rigidity to that of departure, thus limiting the risk of tears or undesirable deformations .

The two lines of perforation 9a, 9b of the shrink-wrapped packaging 1, in the peripheral zone 6 of the upper part 4, gradually deviate from the reinforcement strip 8. This makes it possible in a particularly advantageous manner, when they break, to provide a shrink-wrapped packaging 1 comprising a second opening 14 and therefore a guided and facilitated opening system for removing the containers 2 from the packaging 1 (see figure 5 And 6 ).

In the example illustrated, the two lines of perforations 9a and 9b are each interrupted by at least one non-perforated interval 10, shown with a bracket in a solid line, having a predetermined length. This non-perforated gap 10 facilitates opening in two separate stages with more resistance between the two stages to avoid accidental complete opening.

Indeed, the first opening step 13 comprises the breaking of the two lines of perforations 9a and 9b located on the area central 5 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1, this making it possible to create the handle of the packaging 1 for its easy movement.

The second opening step 14 comprises the breaking of the two lines of perforations 9a and 9b located on the peripheral zone 6 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1, this allowing the opening of the packaging 1 and the facilitated removal of the containers 2.

The presence of the non-perforated gap 10 located in the shape illustrated at the junction between the central zone 5 and the peripheral zone 6, makes it possible to create this stop between the two opening stages and to avoid accidental total opening.

The two lines of perforations 9a and 9b have a series of perforations 11 which are each spaced apart by a space 12 having a predetermined length.

In the example illustrated, the length of the non-perforated interval 10 is at least 1.5 times greater than the length of the space 12 between perforations 11.

The illustrated retractable packaging 1, after complete rupture of the two lines of perforations 9a and 9b, and creation of said second opening 14 allowing the easy removal of the containers 2, retains a firmness and rigidity allowing it to be moved and avoiding total rupture or the tearing of the packaging 1.

THE figure 7 And 8 illustrate a device for implementing the process for packaging containers with shrink-wrapped packaging 1 according to the present invention.

The method illustrated comprises, in a common way, a supply of a shrink film 15 on at least one conveyor belt 16, in a determined direction of movement, and an arrangement of the containers 2 on the conveyor belt 16 provided with the shrink film 15, the containers 2 being arranged in rows parallel to each other and the rows being arranged perpendicular to the determined direction of movement of the film. The supply step of the illustrated method comprises unwinding the shrink film 15 from a supply roll 22.

The method also comprises wrapping 17 of the containers 2 using the shrink film 15 forming a shrink film wrapping 15 around the containers 2 and heat shrinking 18 of the shrink film 15 containing the containers 2, in order to maintain them pressed against each other.

The method according to the invention illustrated further comprises a step of positioning a reinforcing strip 8 on the shrink film 15, parallel to the direction of movement in which the film is fed.

The step of positioning the reinforcing strip 8 takes place on the shrink film 15 before the feed step, on the surface of the film which will form the inner surface of the shrink film 15.

In the example illustrated, a step of incising at least two lines of perforation 9a, 9b takes place in the shrink film 15. In the central zone 5 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1, the perforations 11 are arranged parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcing strip 8. In the peripheral zone 6 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1, the lines of perforations 9a, 9b deviate each gradually from the reinforcement strip 8.

The incision step can be carried out by any type of machine allowing the formation of lines of perforations in a film, for example by the machine described in the European patent EP2954990 which is incorporated herein by reference.

In the example illustrated, the incision step of the method takes place before the step of supplying the shrink film 15 and preferably before the unwinding of the shrink film from the feed roll 22, this is therefore formed from a wound perforated shrink film.

In the example illustrated, a step of cutting by a cutting element 19 is provided to cut the shrink film 15 unwound from the supply roll, so as to form a blank 21 of individual packaging (as illustrated figure 9 ) intended to form the shrink wrapper 1. The packaging blank 21 illustrated also includes a mark 23, used as an indication for the cut by the cutting element 19 of the film unrolled in the wrapper blank 21.

The cutting step takes place after the positioning of the reinforcing strip 8 and before the feeding step.

In addition, the method according to the present invention comprises at least one step of printing at least one pattern on the film 15 before and/or after the unwinding of the shrink film 15.

The printing step in the method according to the invention takes place before and/or after the step of incising the shrink film. Furthermore, the illustrated device comprises at least one support element 20, in order to direct the shrink film 15 unwound. It also comprises at least one cutting element 19 intended to cut the unwound shrink film 15, before the wrapping step 17, into blank 21 of individual packaging intended to form the shrink packaging 1.

It is understood that the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above and that many modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. Shrinkable packaging (1) intended for wrapping a series of containers (2), comprising:

   - a lower portion (3) corresponding to a bottom,

   - an upper portion (4) opposite said lower portion (3) and corresponding to a covering of said containers (2) which are arranged in rows parallel against one another, said upper portion (4) comprising a central zone (5) and a peripheral zone (6),

   - lateral portions (7) connecting the lower portion (3) to the upper portion (4),

   said packaging (1) having a reinforcement strip (8) arranged transversely to the parallel rows of containers (2),

   characterised in that it comprises at least two perforation lines (9a, 9b) which, in the central zone (5) of the upper portion (4) of the packaging (1), are arranged parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcement strip (8), and which each, in the peripheral zone (6) of the upper portion (4) of the packaging (1), are progressively deviated from the reinforcement strip (8).
2. Packaging (1) according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcement strip (8) comprises a gluing agent by which it is fixed on an inner surface of said shrinkable packaging (1) wrapping the series of containers (2).
3. Packaging (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said packaging (1) and said reinforcement strip (8) are made of a material similar to at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, preferably at least 90%, preferably at least 95%.
4. Packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least two perforation lines (9a, 9b) are each interrupted by at least one non-perforated interval (10) having a predetermined length.
5. Packaging (1) according to claim 4, wherein said at least two perforation lines (9a, 9b) have perforations (11), spaced apart from one another by at least one space (12) having a predetermined length, and wherein said at least one non-perforated interval (10) is of a length at least 1.5 times greater than said space (12) between perforations (11), preferably at least twice greater, and preferably at least 2.5 times greater than this space (12) between perforations (11).
6. Packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said containers (2) are chosen from the group constituted of bottles, tins, jars, boxes for liquids, cartons, and cans.
7. Packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a row of containers (2) contains two, three or four containers (2).
8. Method for packaging containers (2) by a packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:

   - a supply of a shrinkable film (15) on at least one conveyor belt (16), in a determined movement direction,

   - an arrangement of said containers (2) on said at least one conveyor belt (16) provided with said shrinkable film (15), said containers (2) being arranged in rows which are parallel against one another, said rows being arranged perpendicularly to said movement direction of the film,

   - a shrink-wrapping (17) of said containers (2) using said shrinkable film (15) forming a shrinkable film packaging (15) around said containers (2), and

   - a heat-shrinking (18) of said shrinkable film (15) containing said containers (2), in view of keeping said containers (2), clamped against one another,

   - a positioning of a reinforcement strip (8) on said shrinkable film (15), parallel to said movement direction of supplying the film,
   characterised in that it further comprises a step of incising in said shrinkable film (15) at least two perforation lines (9a, 9b) which, in the central zone (5) of the upper portion (4) of the packaging (1), are arranged parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcement strip (8), and which each, in the peripheral zone (6) of the upper portion (4) of the packaging (1), are progressively deviated from the reinforcement strip (8).
9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the supply comprises a winding of shrinkable film (15) from a supply reel (22), and the positioning of the reinforcement strip (8) occurs on the shrinkable film (15) before said supply step, on a surface of the film which forms an inner surface of said packaging after shrink-wrapping.
10. Method according to claim 9, further comprising at least one step of cutting the shrinkable film which occurs after said positioning of the reinforcement strip (8) and before said supply step.
11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said incision step occurs before the supply of said shrinkable film (15) on said conveyor belt (16).
12. Method according to claim 11, wherein said incision step occurs before said winding of the shrinkable film (15) from said supply reel (22).
13. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one step of printing at least one pattern on said film before and/or after said supply step.
14. Shrinkable packaging (1) blank (21) provided to wrap a series of containers (2) by shrink-wrapping, with the basis of a rectangular-shaped shrinkable film (15), having in width, two small sides and in length, two large sides, characterised in that it has a reinforcement strip (8) which extends between the two small sides halfway from the two large sides, as well as, at the centre of the blank (21), at least two perforation lines which are arranged parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcement strip, and which, at each of their ends, are progressively deviated from the reinforcement strip.

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