ES1303893U - REINFORCED CARDBOARD CONTAINER FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF FRUIT AND HORTO PRODUCTS AND PALLETIZED STRUCTURE THAT INCLUDES SAID CONTAINER (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Reinforced container (40) comprising a body obtained with a single band (20) of die-cut cardboard, the body comprising: a lateral contour comprising eight sides formed by at least eight side walls (44, 45, 46) connected one to another. continuation of another, in series, by respective vertical folds (42) parallel to each other, two mutually extreme side walls of the folded band (20) being mutually joined, preferably through a side joining panel (43) as a tab ; said at least eight side walls (44, 45, 46) including two first flat side walls (44) mutually facing each other and two second flat side walls (45) mutually facing each other that delimit four corner areas, and at least four smaller side walls (46), with at least one respective smaller side wall (46) being in each of the four corner areas forming a respective chamfer; an at least partially open reinforced upper mouth, delimited by upper parts of the side walls (44, 45, 46); a bottom perpendicular to the at least eight side walls (44, 45, 46), configured to be supported on a pallet (70), formed by lower flaps (47, 48) connected to the bottom of at least the first and second side walls (44, 45) by lower horizontal folds (49); the reinforced container (40) being characterized in that the folded band (20) constituting the body is made of double-walled corrugated cardboard, with only three smooth sheets (21) and two corrugated sheets (22) arranged between two of the smooth sheets (21), the two corrugated sheets (22) forming vertical grooves (23) in the eight side walls (44, 45, 46), to reinforce the reinforced container (40) under compression; The upper mouth is reinforced by at least two or four upper flaps (51, 52), two first upper flaps (51) joined to the top of the first side walls (44) and/or two second upper flaps (52) joined to the upper parts of the second side walls (45), each first and/or second upper flap (51, 52) comprising two respective flaps (54, 55) folded by respective upper horizontal folds (53), corresponding with a shelf flap horizontal (54) for stacking support, and an end flap (55) for joining to a respective upper part of a first or second side wall (44, 45); On the outer side of the lateral contour of each corner zone, each respective outer side of the chamfer positionally delimits a respective outer free space (50), of continuous vertical extension from the bottom to the upper mouth, each respective free space (50) being arranged), in contact with a respective chamfer, a respective column element (60), elongated, additional to the body, which has a vertical extension that extends from the bottom to the upper mouth, each free space (50) being accessible from the side exterior of the lateral contour of the body to facilitate the arrangement of each column element (60) in each free space; and because each side wall (44, 45, 46) and each vertical fold (42) of the body has a continuous vertical extension that extends from the bottom to the upper mouth, to reinforce the reinforced container (40) against vertical forces and horizontal. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

REINFORCED CARDBOARD CONTAINER FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF PRODUCTS

HORTOFRUIT AND PALLETIZED STRUCTURE THAT INCLUDES SAID

CONTAINER

TECHNIQUE SECTOR

The technical field of the present invention is semi-rigid containers with a polygonal cross section, for example, boxes, cardboard containers, formed by folding paper-based sheets.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the present invention presents a reinforced cardboard container, in particular for the transport of fruit and vegetable products.

According to a second aspect, the present invention presents a palletized structure, in particular for the transport of fruit and vegetable products, which includes the reinforced container of the first aspect of the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED

On the one hand, document ES2653920A1, by the same inventor as the present application, proposes a large reinforced container, that is, 60 centimeters or more in base width and 90 centimeters or more in height, to be supported on a pallet. . The reinforced container is made of several pieces: a flat base piece folded and joined to a tubular body 61. The flat base piece is daisy-shaped, and is formed from the union of a plurality of flat pieces: a bottom central and a plurality of wall panels joined at their ends to the central bottom, extending radially. The flat base piece is made of a plurality of separate flat pieces of cardboard in order to take advantage of the greater compressive strength of the corrugated cardboard in the same direction as the corrugated grooves of the cardboard.

On the other hand, document ES2717723A1, by the same inventor as the present application, concerns a reinforced body made of several pieces: a first body and a second body made of corrugated cardboard, with open lower and upper mouths. Both bodies are joined together by means of adhesive that joins the inner lateral contour of one body with the outer lateral contour of the other body, by linearly introducing one body into the other according to a relative linear movement parallel to the axis of vertical symmetry of the bodies.

On the other hand, documents EP3616896B1 and US201816753041A1, by the same inventor of the present application, propose a reinforced polygonal drum made of glued corrugated sheet material. The drum comprises two pieces of cardboard: a tubular body and a base body. The polygonal tubular body includes a web made of at least one corrugated sheet and one smooth sheet bonded together, for example, single-sided corrugated cardboard, rolled at least two full turns, and a base body of single-walled corrugated cardboard in Bottom functions that close complement the bottom of the body. Depending on the number of complete turns, a multilayer wall is obtained with a desired number of smooth and corrugated sheets, that is, a container with personalized mechanical resistance to compression and expansion that is easily manufactured, and with a low-cost raw material such as simple cardboard. expensive. Said drum is to contain bulk products, to replace the classic plastic or metal drums, particularly steel, with volumes typically between 200 and 1250 liters.

On the other hand, document ES1215005U proposes a palletized structure for the transport of fruit and vegetable products, such as melons or watermelons, which comprises three palletized structural assemblies stacked vertically one on top of another, each palletized structural assembly comprising two respective reinforced containers and a respective pallet. wherein said two respective reinforced containers are supported on the same level. However, this palletized structure is not currently used and has the following disadvantages:

- there are currently no automatic machines on the market to form the body of the container, of the rectangular central bottom 1 type, side walls 2, 3 that extend from each of the sides of the bottom 1, and lateral extensions 4 connected to the sides of the side walls are folded to form four hollow triangular columns, since the body has very considerable measurements in terms of width, length and height to reduce the cardboard surface used;

- today the insertion of the struts / reinforcements 6 in these hollow columns is carried out only manually, resulting in a higher manufacturing cost of the container;

- there are currently no automatic machines on the market to insert the struts / stiffeners 6 or column elements into the body;

- has a stacking support configuration in only the four corners and on two edges of the mutually opposite short side walls, causing a severely limited mechanical resistance to compression and/or expansion and/or warping oscillations, and also exhibits intolerable deformations due to the semi-rigid nature of the cardboard with which they are made, causing stack collapses and losses.

For all of the above, this palletized structure solution is not currently used in the market since it is not viable, since it has defective structural resistance, causing stack collapses and product losses, in addition to having the disadvantage of not being able to be automated. , and have expensive manual assembly.

On the other hand, document ES1274749U, from the same inventor of the present application, proposes a palletized structural assembly for the transport and handling of fruit and vegetable products, where, instead of a single stack of boxes nested mutually on the same pallet in a container of a road vehicle, the palletized structure comprises a structural stack that includes a plurality of pallets, where each pallet supports a plurality of boxes limited in number to two or three boxes, and where each box of the polygonal bottom and side walls type extending from the sides of the background polygon is made from a single flat cardboard development of five sheets joined together, three smooth sheets, and two corrugated sheets sandwiched between the smooth sheets.

On the one hand, the document ES1218995U, and, on the other hand, the document ES1276909Y9 in Figs. 22-25, propose a reinforced container comprising a body obtained with a single cardboard strip, the body comprising:

- a lateral contour formed by a plurality of flat side walls, said plurality including two mutually facing major side walls and two mutually facing minor side walls that delimit four corner zones of the lateral contour of the body, arranged around the bottom and perpendicular to it, connected one after the other, in series, by respective vertical folds parallel to each other, and two of said mutually extreme side walls of the folded cardboard strip or development being joined by an end side panel or fixing / joining tab.

- a bottom, at least partially open, for fixing to a pallet, the bottom being formed by the union of lower flaps connected to the lower part of at least four side walls by lower horizontal folds; and

- a reinforced upper mouthpiece, at least partially open, delimited by upper parts of side walls of the body, where the upper mouthpiece is reinforced by eight upper flaps folded by respective eight upper horizontal folds, and where each of the eight of the folded upper flaps is attached by glue to the top of one of the eight side walls: two major side walls, two minor side walls and four walls like chamfer, acting as eight individual reinforcements or slats for each of the eight side walls.

On the one hand, a drawback of reinforced containers to contain large volumes is that they must offer high mechanical resistance to both vertical compression and expansion, as well as warping, while at the same time having a minimum manufacturing cost: cost of raw materials and cost of assembling the container from the plate, depending on manual, automatic, or partially manual and partially automatic assembly of the container.

Documents FR3085881B1, ES2749298B2, US11465382B2 and EP3795345A1, by the same inventor of the present application, disclose machines for the automatic assembly of a wide variety of reinforced containers, including containers of documents ES1218995U and ES1276909Y9.

The containers of documents ES1218995U and ES1276909Y9, although they can be produced by machine, have the disadvantage of not offering adequate behavior under stress and/or transport conditions that cause a warping effect (forming), that is, the side walls and mouth. top oscillate horizontally, from side to side, with respect to the bottom of the container, causing stacking collapses and losses of product contained in the reinforced containers.

The eight folded upper flaps of documents ES1218995U and ES1276909Y9 have clearances or separations between them, acting as respective eight reinforcing slats, in order to form the partially open mouthpiece reinforced with said eight individual upper flaps, which has the disadvantage of causing the container has an undesired limited vertical resistance, causing an unacceptable deformation of the reinforced mouth and a consequent frequent collapse of the stack of containers, as well as an undesired horizontal resistance, including a limitation to longitudinal and transverse horizontal forces, including those derived from the effect of warping, as well as a disadvantageous limitation in the width of the horizontal shelves for support in stacking.

On the other hand, in the octagonal lateral contour container of document ES1143633U the eight upper flaps folded to reinforce the upper mouth are interconnected with each other in a weak interlocking configuration by means of a triangular flap portion of the shelf flap 11 embraced between the three upper flaps connected to the chamfers 3. The configuration of this connection has the disadvantage that the folded upper flaps of some walls slide relative to the flaps folded tops of the others, following unwanted relative horizontal movements, which do not make it possible for the reinforced container as a whole to resist the vertical and horizontal loads in a stacking situation, causing unwanted side-to-side oscillations due to the swaying effect that causes the containers to collapse. containers in the stack and sinking of the upper mouth.

Despite the documents cited above, solutions from documents ES1158212U, ES1057509U, ES2169629A1, ES1172234U or ES1211863U are still in use on the market, with four additional struts / tubes / column elements inserted in the four corners of the rectangular container, in combination with a mouthpiece cardboard reinforced by upper flaps on the side walls.

Said documents ES1158212U, ES1057509U, ES2169629A1, ES1172234U, have sectors in the corner areas of the side walls diverted towards the interior of the volume of the container to form interior orthogonal channels or clamps that keep the column elements in position inside the container. , avoiding the collapse of the container when stacked.

In said documents ES1158212U, ES1057509U, ES2169629A1, ES1172234U, the cardboard mouthpiece reinforced by upper flaps of the side walls is supported at the lateral ends of the corner areas on four additional struts / tubes / column elements inserted in the four corners of the rectangular container.

In said document ES1172234U, the reinforced container is made of cardboard, without specifically selecting a specific cardboard from among a wide variety of types of cardboard described, and comprises in combination five pieces: a body obtained with a single sheet of corrugated cardboard, and four elements column 300 which are struts or tubular elements. The body has a rectangular side contour of four serial side walls, and has clamps, called inner channels 115, 116, 117, defined by fold lines partially cut into the corners of the container body. The clamps serve to position the column elements 300 inside the body of the reinforced container.

In said document ES2169629A1 it discloses a reinforced container 1 comprising a rectangular body with a partially open upper mouth and four tubular struts 4 located in the corners of the body to withstand vertical forces, when stacking a container full of goods one on top of another, and to stabilize the body avoiding undesirable deformations due to the flexibility of the semi-rigid material - preformed plate of folded die-cut corrugated cardboard - with which the body is constituted. In the corners of the body, pairs of cuts 8 are made (Fig. 1) that delimit sectors of material diverted towards the interior of the container that form orthogonal clamps 9 in these corners to keep the struts 4 erect. In each corner, openings 5 folded towards the interior of the sectors moved towards the interior of the container, they expose parts of the struts 4 that serve as support and sliding surface for the tensioning and closing of straps or straps 3 that surround the container 1, ensuring stability and avoiding deformations due to expansion efforts of the side walls of the container body. The stability and mitigation of expansion deformation are avoided thanks to the fact that the straps 3 are not located in the four edge portions of the corner of the rectangular body, but are located in each corner or three straps 3 are located in correspondence with three openings 5 of the clamps 9 equidistant (Fig. 2).

Some drawbacks of the reinforced containers currently used to be arranged on a pallet in container and pallet assemblies, such as, for example, the type of the aforementioned ES1158212U, ES1057509U, ES2169629A1, ES1172234U, ES1218995U, and ES1143633U, are that:

- today the assembly of such struts / column elements is carried out only manually, resulting in a higher manufacturing cost of the container; - There are currently no automatic machines on the market to insert the struts or column elements into the body, nor are there automatic machines to subsequently fold the upper flaps of the reinforced mouthpiece once the struts/tubes are inserted into the body (see Fig. 3 document ES1211863U, and Figs. 1-10 of document ES1172234U);

- have a severely limited mechanical resistance to compression and/or expansion and/or to sway oscillations, and also exhibit intolerable deformations due to the semi-rigid nature of the cardboard with which they are made, causing stack collapses and losses.

This limited mechanical resistance means that, for the transport of certain products, for example, a wide range of fruits and/or vegetables, the height of the container is typically limited to about 60 centimeters.

Another drawback is that, for the transport of certain products, for example, a wide range of fruits and/or vegetables, each structural assembly of pallet and reinforced container on pallet is only generally stacked at two heights in practice, although for container measurements, the container and pallet assemblies can be stacked at three heights, to avoid frequent losses of the contained product due to the poor mechanical resistance of the reinforced containers.

These two-high stacking practices are very frequent and common for a wide range of fruits and/or vegetables, for example, for the transport of melons and watermelons, and a very considerable part of the volume of the container of the land transport vehicle is empty, This empty transport volume is around 33.33% and only the remaining 66.66% is usually occupied with cargo, undesirably increasing the transportation costs of containers full of product.

Also, this non-optimized transport with empty transport volumes of product, results in an increase in the cost of the carbon footprint (polluting emissions) of each kilogram of product transported in the reinforced container.

It would be desirable to obtain a reinforced container for the transport of horticultural products, versatile, easily obtainable both manually and by machine, which offers high mechanical resistance as well as a minimum cost, both a minimum manufacturing cost and a minimum placement cost. point of sale, reducing the carbon footprint per kilogram of product contained in the reinforced container, transported and placed at the point of sale.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

To solve the drawbacks set out in the previous section, the present invention presents, according to a first aspect, a reinforced container for the transport of horticultural products.

The reinforced container comprises a body obtained from a single strip of die-cut cardboard.

Cardboard is a material that has the advantage of being recyclable and also with a reduced biodegradation time, compared, for example, to the high biodegradation times of plastic materials, including extruded or molded plastic materials, or metallic materials.

Additionally, cardboard, and also corrugated cardboard, is attractive for its lightness, compared to containers reinforced with plastic or metal bodies.

Advantageously, as it is obtained from a single cardboard strip, it simplifies stock management for the agent in charge of assembling the reinforced container.

The body comprises a lateral contour, a reinforced embouchure and a back.

The lateral contour comprises eight sides. The sides of the lateral contour are formed by at least eight side walls connected one after the other, in series, by respective vertical folds parallel to each other.

Two mutually end side walls of the folded strip are mutually joined.

Optionally, the two mutually end side walls of the folded band are mutually joined through a connecting side panel, like a tab.

Said at least eight side walls include two mutually facing first planar side walls and two mutually facing second planar side walls that delimit four corner areas. Said at least eight side walls further include at least four smaller side walls.

At least one minor side wall is sandwiched between each first side wall and each second side wall in each of the four corner areas, as a chamfer. In each of the four corner zones, the chamfer is arranged diagonally with respect to the first and second side walls adjacent to the corner zone.

Preferably, in the reinforced container, the minor side walls are flat and the chamfers are flat.

Optionally, the flat minor side walls and the flat chamfers form a straight diagonal with respect to the adjoining first and second side walls in each corner region.

Alternatively, in the reinforced container, the minor side walls are curved and the chamfers are curved, forming a curved diagonal joining the curved chamfer to the first and second adjoining side walls in each corner zone.

This at least one minor side wall in each of the four corner zones is smaller in width than the first and second side walls, to arrange these structural pillars that form the chamfers in the corners, strategically, at the same time as the development in cardboard surface is minimal to optimize production costs.

Each of the corner areas, which includes the chamfer delimited by vertical folds, act as cornered vertical pillars of increased resistance, both in the face of vertical compression forces and horizontal expansion forces.

Advantageously, the increased resistance to expansion and the lower deformation of the side walls under expansion stresses is due to the fact that, in the lateral contour of the body, the linear distance between adjacent vertical folds is reduced, as well as the transverse or longitudinal measurement of the first and second walls is reduced, for example, compared to a conventional container with a rectangular lateral contour, free of reinforcing pillars chamfered formed with the constituent band of the body.

The reinforced upper mouthpiece is at least partially open and is delimited by upper parts of the side walls.

The bottom is perpendicular to the at least eight side walls, being configured to be supported on a pallet. The bottom is formed by lower flaps connected to the lower part of at least the first and second side walls by lower horizontal folds.

The at least partially open mouthpiece has the advantage of providing a minimum development of cardboard for the only constituent band of the body, minimizing production costs of the reinforced container, while maintaining the structural resistance of the reinforced container to resist the forces to which It is submitted in stacking, in combination with the rest of the characteristics of the object of the invention, according to this first aspect.

Furthermore, in the reinforced container, the folded band constituting the body is made of double-walled corrugated cardboard, with only five sheets: three smooth sheets and two corrugated sheets arranged between two of the smooth sheets. To increase the vertical compressive strength of the reinforced container, the two corrugated sheets form vertical grooves on the eight side walls.

Advantageously, in each reinforced container of the palletized structure, the intentional direction of the grooves of the two corrugated sheets, together with the serial configuration of side walls by vertical connecting folds, and the arrangement of the chamfers, synergistically provides high resistance to compression of each reinforced container, that is, to support vertical loads.

In the reinforced container, the choice of the structure of said double-wall corrugated cardboard, with only five sheets, has the advantage of providing an optimal relationship between the mechanical resistance of the container to that which requires a minimum development of the surface of the band. with which the body is obtained, also enabling the production of the band easily in conventional corrugated cardboard facilities, both due to development measures and the structure of the cardboard, at reduced costs.

The upper embouchure is reinforced by at least two or at least four upper flaps, two first upper flaps attached to the top of the first side walls and/or two second upper flaps attached to the upper parts of the second side walls.

Since the upper embouchure is reinforced by at least two or at least four upper flaps, a reinforced mouthpiece with eight upper flaps is also within the scope of the present invention, an upper flap being attached to the upper part of each of the at least eight lateral walls.

Optionally, the upper mouthpiece is reinforced only by at least two or at least four upper flaps, two first upper flaps attached to the top of the first side walls and/or two second upper flaps attached to the upper parts of the second side walls , to minimize assembly times, to simplify the assembly of the upper flaps, saving container manufacturing costs.

Each top flap comprises two respective flaps folded by respective top horizontal folds perpendicular to the vertical folds.

Said two flaps include a horizontal shelf flap for stacking support and an end flap for joining a respective top flap to a respective top part of a first or second side wall.

Optionally, each top flap comprises three respective serial flaps folded by respective top horizontal folds perpendicular to the vertical folds. Said three optional flaps correspond to the horizontal shelf flap, an intermediate flap sandwiched between the horizontal shelf flap and the extreme flap, and said extreme joining flap.

On the outer side of the lateral contour of each corner zone, each respective outer side of the chamfer positionally delimits a respective outer free space, of continuous vertical extension from the bottom to the upper mouth, each respective free space being arranged in contact with a respective chamfer, a respective elongated column element, additional to the body, which has a vertical extension that extends from the bottom to the upper mouth. In the reinforced container, each free space is accessible from the outer side of the lateral contour of the body to facilitate the arrangement of each column element in each free space, in contact with each chamfer.

Preferably, each of said column elements is a slender piece of constant cross section, either of closed cross section or of open cross section with a V or L shape, etc.

These column elements are preferably made of cardboard or several sheets of paper joined together, that is, of a material with several overlapping layers of paper, therefore including cases of corrugated cardboard, laminated / compact cardboard, cardboard cardboard, among others.

Alternatively, the column elements may be made of plastic, preferably extruded or injected molding.

In the reinforced container, each side wall and each vertical fold of the body has a continuous vertical extension that extends from the bottom to the upper mouth, to reinforce the reinforced container against vertical and horizontal forces.

The continuity of the side walls and vertical folds significantly increases the compression and expansion resistance of the container, and reduces the deformation of the side walls of the container under stress in the stacking situation.

That is, in the reinforced container in a stacking situation, the continuity of the side walls and folds ensures that the compression forces are transmitted between the upper mouth and the bottom of the reinforced container, distributed by the reinforcement points, like pillars of support. cardboard, which form said minor reinforcing side walls and said vertical folds.

Thus, in the present invention, it will be understood that the vertical folds have an extension corresponding to the height of the container, with the folds not having indentations or separations.

Thus, in the present invention, it will be understood that the side walls include at least continuous vertical sectors from the bottom to the upper mouth.

Preferably, some side walls, in addition to the aforementioned continuous vertical sectors, may also include ventilation holes for the product to be contained in other sectors of some of the side walls.

Furthermore, the reinforced container of the present invention has the following advantages:

- it does not have a height - distance between bottom and upper mouth - limited to about 60 centimeters, said distance being able to be anything between 50 and 120 centimeters, or even more, thus increasing the variety of heights of the reinforced container;

- the containers can be stacked in palletized structural assemblies at both two and three heights, one on top of the other, each reinforced container being supported at the same level on a respective pallet, for example, the reinforced containers of the present invention can be stacked in two palletized structural assemblies, and also the reinforced containers of the present invention can be stacked in three palletized structural assemblies;

- makes it possible to optimize in practice the useful volume occupied in a transport container in the transport of containers full of product, thanks to the fact that the volume occupied in the transport containers is increased, and the cost associated with the development of cardboard (cardboard strip) necessary per kilo of product transported can be optimized, contributing all the above the carbon footprint per kilo of product transported;

- makes it possible to minimize assembly times for the reinforced mouthpiece (manual, automatic, and/or a combination of these), since it allows the container to be obtained by folding at least two or at least four upper flaps to obtain the reinforced upper mouthpiece, making it possible to reduce costs costs in the production of the reinforced container;

- allows a simple manual and/or automatic assembly/arrangement of the column elements in the corner areas in contact with the body, on the outside of the lateral contour; For example, the column elements may be arranged according to a lateral movement (horizontal, diagonal and/or a combination of these), resulting in shorter assembly times and/or automation of the manufacturing of the container, reducing manufacturing costs. of the reinforced container;

- allows a simple automatic assembly of the container, since the column elements can be arranged in the free spaces, on the outside of the corner areas, before, and/or during, and/or after the folding of the constituent upper flaps from the reinforced mouthpiece, making said folding and arrangement operations independent;

- it is possible, optionally, if desired, to obtain larger measurements in the width of the shelf flaps for support in stacking, because the container may include a reduced number of upper flaps (at least two or at least four and not necessarily eight upper flaps), regardless of the connection by socket, glue and/or socket and glue of the upper flaps to the first and/or second side walls; and

- the distance between vertical folds / width of each smaller side wall can be selected, optionally, from a greater range of measurements, allowing an optimization of the raw material of the container and the interior volume of the container to be filled with product, due to the number reduced number of top flaps (at least two or at least four and not necessarily eight top flaps).

Optionally, in the folded band constituting the body, the two corrugated sheets have different widths of corrugation relative to each other, to increase the resistance of the container to vertical forces and to reduce the deformation of the reinforced container in the upper mouth and side walls against horizontal forces.

Other optional features of the first aspect of the invention are described in the detailed discussion of preferred embodiments, together with their respective technical effects/advantages.

According to a second aspect, the present invention presents a palletized structure for the transport of horticultural products.

The palletized structure comprises only two or three palletized structural assemblies stacked vertically one on top of the other. Each palletized structural assembly comprises only one or two respective reinforced containers according to any one of the preceding claims and a respective pallet where said one or two respective reinforced containers are supported on the same level.

The second aspect of the invention also benefits from the technical effects and advantages described in the first aspect of the invention.

Other optional features of the second aspect of the invention are described in the detailed discussion of preferred embodiments, together with their respective technical effects/advantages.

The claims of the reinforced container object, of the first aspect of the invention, have been drafted in such a way that it is possible to verify a possible infringement whether the reinforced container is in a stacking situation or not, and whether the reinforced container is supported on a pallet as if not.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other advantages and characteristics will be more fully understood from the following detailed lists of embodiment examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are to be taken by way of illustration and not limitation, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the single band with which the body of the reinforced container of the present invention is obtained, according to a first embodiment and a first variant of the first embodiment;

Fig. 2 is a cross section of a top plan view of the reinforced container of the present invention, according to the first embodiment, obtained with the band of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross section of a plan view of the reinforced container of the present invention, according to a variant of the first embodiment, obtained with the band of the Fig. 1, which includes all the features of the first embodiment except for the shape of the four column elements, one arranged in each free space of the corner area;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of several die-cut plates with which the single band of Fig. 5 is obtained;

Fig. 5 is the plan view of the band, obtained with the plates of Fig. 4, with which the reinforced container of Fig. 11 can be obtained;

Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of the partially formed reinforced container of the present invention, obtained with the band of Fig. 1 or 5, during folding of the body from the initial band, two of said side walls being mutual ends of the folded band joined together forming a closed tubular lateral contour, which can be flattened and deployed by two vertical folds whose side walls form 180 degrees, for the manufacture thereof;

Fig. 7 is a top perspective view of the reinforced container of Fig. 6 with the lateral contour and the bottom already formed, and where column elements of circular / circumferential section are also shown to be arranged in the free spaces of the corner areas, corresponding to Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a cross section of the upper flaps folded by horizontal folds in the upper mouth of the reinforced container of Figs. 2, 3, 11 and 14;

Fig. 9 is a cross section of an alternative embodiment of folded top flaps at the top mouth of the reinforced container of Figs. 2, 3, 11 and 14;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the double-wall corrugated cardboard structure from which the die-cut body band is formed in all embodiments;

Fig. 11 is a schematic top perspective view of the reinforced container corresponding to Fig. 3;

Fig. 12 is a detailed top perspective view of a corner area of the reinforced container of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the only band with which the body of the reinforced container of the present invention is obtained, according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 14 is a detailed top perspective view of a corner area of the reinforced container obtained with the band of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the only band with which the body of the reinforced container of the present invention is obtained, according to a third embodiment and a variant of the third embodiment;

Fig. 16 is a cross section of a top plan view of the reinforced container of the present invention, according to the third embodiment, obtained with the band of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged view of detail V of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a bottom plan view of the reinforced container of Fig. 16, where the lower right corner area is partially sectioned to show some elements;

Fig. 19 is a schematic enlarged view of the cross sections A-A of Figs.

21 and 22;

Fig. 20 is an enlarged view of detail VI of Fig. 21 and detail IX of Fig. 29;

Fig. 21 is a top perspective view of the reinforced container of the third embodiment obtained with the band of Fig. 15, where the lower right corner area is partially sectioned at the bottom to show some elements;

Fig. 22 is a lower perspective view of the corner area of Fig. 21, showing lateral ends of the first and second upper flaps abutting the chamfer formed by at least one smaller side wall;

Fig. 23 is a plan view of the only band with which the body of the reinforced container of the present invention is obtained, according to a fourth embodiment;

Fig. 24 is a cross section of a top plan view of the reinforced container of the present invention, according to the fourth embodiment, obtained with the band of Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is an enlarged view of detail VII of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a bottom plan view of the reinforced container of Fig. 24;

Fig. 27 is an enlarged view of detail VIII of Fig. 28;

Fig. 28 is a top perspective view of the reinforced container of the fourth embodiment obtained with the band of Fig. 23;

Fig. 29 is a top perspective view of the reinforced container of the variant of the fourth embodiment obtained with the band of Fig. 15;

Fig. 30 is a cross section of a top plan view of the reinforced container of Fig. 29;

Fig. 31 shows a schematic side view of the reinforced container of the first aspect of the invention, according to any embodiment, stacked and supported on a respective pallet, and represents at the same time a schematic side view of the palletized structure of the second aspect of the invention. the invention, according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 32 is the other side view of Fig. 31;

Fig. 33 shows a schematic side view of the reinforced container of the first aspect of the invention, according to any embodiment, stacked and supported on a respective pallet, and represents at the same time a schematic side view of the palletized structure of the second aspect of the invention, according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 34 is the other side view of Fig. 33;

Fig. 35 shows a schematic side view of the reinforced container of the first aspect of the invention, according to any embodiment, stacked and supported on a respective pallet, and represents at the same time a schematic side view of the palletized structure of the second aspect of the invention. the invention according to a third embodiment;

Fig. 36 is the other side view of Fig. 35; and

Fig. 37 shows a schematic side view of the reinforced container of the first aspect of the invention, according to any embodiment, stacked and supported on a respective pallet, and represents at the same time a schematic side view of the palletized structure of the second aspect of the invention. the invention according to a fourth embodiment.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the figures, reference 40 generically designates the reinforced container (40) for transporting horticultural products of the first aspect of the invention.

Next, the common characteristics for all embodiments of the reinforced container (40) are described, making explicit reference to the figures of the first embodiment of Figs. 6-10 and 10-12, for simplicity, unless it is made explicit that it is a concrete and/or particular and/or specific implementation.

Commonly to all embodiments, Figs. 2, 11 and 12 show that the reinforced container (40) comprises a body, obtained with a single strip of die-cut cardboard, for example, like the strip (20) shown in Fig. 1 or 5.

Commonly to all embodiments, Figs. 2, 11 and 12 show that the body comprises a lateral contour, a reinforced embouchure and a bottom.

Commonly to all embodiments, Figs. 2, 11 and 12 show that the lateral contour comprises eight sides. The sides of the lateral contour are formed by at least eight side walls (44, 45, 46) connected one after the other, in series, by respective vertical folds (42) parallel to each other.

Commonly to all embodiments, Figs. 2, 11 and 12 show that two mutually end side walls of the folded band (20) are mutually joined.

In this specific case of Figs. 2, 11 and 12, the two mutually end side walls correspond to a smaller side wall (46) and a first side wall (44) which will be described later.

In this specific case of Figs. 2, 11 and 12, the two mutually extreme side walls of the folded band (20) are mutually joined by a connecting side panel (43) as a tab.

Optionally, said end side walls (44, 46) can be joined by an end side panel (3) for joining, as a tab, the deployed bands (20) shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the body forming a lateral contour of cross section closed by a connecting side panel (43), as shown in Figs. 2, 6, 7 and 10, to increase the resistance of the reinforced container (40) to horizontal forces, for example, radial horizontal forces caused by the product contained in the interior volume of the reinforced container (40) delimited by the lateral contour, the bottom and the upper embouchure.

Optionally, this union of mutually extreme side walls may be by gluing and/or stapling, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 11, 21,28 and 29, among other joining options.

Alternatively, in an option not shown, the band (20) may lack said connecting side panel (3) and the two mutually end side walls may be joined to each other, with adjacent end edges joined, for example, by a strip. double-sided adhesive with adhesive/glue joining both ends of the band (20).

In all embodiments, Figs. 2, 11 and 12 show that said at least eight side walls (44, 45, 46) include two first flat side walls (44) mutually facing each other and two second flat side walls (45) mutually facing each other that delimit four corner areas, and at least four smaller side walls (46).

Continuing in all embodiments, Figs. 2, 11 and 12 show that at least one minor side wall (46) is sandwiched between each first side wall (44) and each second wall side (45) in each of the four corner areas, as a chamfer. The chamfer is arranged diagonally, forming an inclined horizontal angle, with respect to the first and second side walls (44, 45) adjacent to the corner area.

In the particular case of the reinforced container embodiments (40) of Figs. 1-28, the smaller side walls (46) are flat and the chamfers are flat, forming a straight diagonal with respect to the first and second side walls (44, 45) adjacent in each corner area.

In the particular case of the reinforced container embodiments (40) of Figs. 29-30, the smaller side walls (46) are curved and the chamfers are curved, forming a curved diagonal that joins the curved chamfer with the first and second side walls (44, 45) adjacent in each corner area.

Following in all embodiments, Figs. 2, 11 and 12 show that this at least one smaller side wall (46) in each of the four corner zones is smaller in width than the first and second side walls, that is, the perpendicular distance between each pair of vertical folds. (42) delimiting the smaller side walls (46) is smaller than that of the first and second side walls (44, 45).

In Figs. 1-30, the first and second side walls (44, 45) are delimited superiorly by respective upper horizontal folds (53) formed around respective upper weakened horizontal lines (13) punched out of the band (20).

Following in Figs. 1-30, the first and second side walls (44, 45) are delimited inferiorly by respective lower horizontal folds (49) formed around respective lower weakened horizontal lines (9) punched out of the band (20).

Optionally, the smaller side walls (46), forming the chamfers of the container (40), are delimited superiorly and inferiorly by respective die-cut folded cutting lines (57), which are separated from each other by a vertical distance corresponding to the height. vertical of the reinforced container, associated with a distance from the bottom to the upper mouth.

Optionally, the optional folded cut die-cut lines (57) are formed from collinear cut die-cut lines (17) of the deployed band (20), as seen in Fig. 1.

Optionally, Figs. 1, 5 and 15 show that each minor sector (6), of formation of each minor side wall (46) of Figs. 11, 12, 14, is delimited in its upper and lower part by respective die-cut cutting lines (17) of the deployed band (20), which are separated from each other by a vertical distance corresponding to the vertical height of the reinforced container (40). ), once formed, associated with a distance from the bottom to the upper mouth.

In Figs. 1, 5 and 15, the lower punched cutting lines (17) of the deployed band (20) are essentially collinear with the lower weakened horizontal lines (9).

Continuing in Figs. 1,5 and 15, each lower punched cut line (17) is sandwiched between two adjacent lower weakened horizontal lines (9) once the band (20) has the opposite end side panels attached, preferably with the end panel (3). union, as shown in Fig. 4.

Each punched cutting line (17) can be linear as in Figs. 1 or 5, it can be a broken cut die-cut line (17) as in Fig. 15, and/or a combination of these options as shown in Fig. 23.

In the particular case of the embodiments of Figs. 1-3 and 6-30, in the reinforced container (40), the corrugated cardboard band (20) constituting the body is optionally a single die-cut sheet (10) that includes at least eight panel sectors (4, 5, 6 ) in series, the at least eight side walls (44, 45, 46) of the body being formed by said at least eight panel sectors (4, 5, 6).

The option in the previous paragraph maintains all the advantages related to improved resistance, while optimizing the manufacturing costs of the reinforced container (40), by using a single die-cut starting piece to obtain the body of the reinforced container (40). .

Additionally, in the embodiments of the reinforced container (40) of Figs. 1-30, in the double-wall corrugated cardboard band (20) constituting the body, the at least eight panel sectors (4, 5, 6) in series are connected by respective weakened vertical lines (2) punched out, parallel to each other, which define in the folded body the vertical folds (42) that connect some of said at least eight side walls (44, 45, 46) with others.

The weakened vertical lines (2) die-cut facilitate the correct folding of some parts of the band with respect to others to obtain the container, which is of utmost importance to define with accuracy and reliability the positions of the parts of the body to undertake with successful manual and/or automatic assembly.

In another particular option shown in Figs. 4-12, corresponding to a variant of the First embodiment, the band (20) of double-wall corrugated cardboard constituting the body are several die-cut sheets (10) of double-wall corrugated cardboard with end panels (3) for joining each sheet (10) joined together. In the band (20) constituting the body, each of the plates (10) comprises a plurality of panel sectors (4, 5, 6), the at least eight side walls (44, 45, 46) of the body being formed by the pluralities of panel sectors (4, 5, 6) of the plates (10).

This option of band (20) made up of several plates (10) has the advantage of simplifying production, improving the handling, and therefore the production costs, of reinforced containers (40) of a development of considerable measures, for example, those reinforced containers (40) with measurements such that their interior volume covers at least 80% of the floor area of a pallet (70) measuring approximately 1000 x 800 millimeters, 1000 x 1200 millimeters or 1140 x 1140 millimeters.

Continuing in all embodiments, Figs. 2 and 12 show that the bottom is perpendicular to the at least eight side walls (44, 45, 46), which are arranged around the bottom, surrounding it, defining the lateral contour.

The Figs. 2 and 11 show that said bottom is configured to be supported on a pallet (70).

The Figs. 30 to 37 show the bottom of each reinforced container (40) supported on a respective pallet (70).

Continuing in all embodiments, Figs. 2 and 12 show that the bottom is formed by lower flaps (47, 48) connected to the lower part of at least the first and second side walls (44, 45) by lower horizontal folds (49).

Advantageously, the serial configuration of side walls (44,45, 46) of the lateral contour and the configuration of the bottom that can be supported on a pallet (70), optionally allow obtaining a partially open bottom, using a minimum of raw material via an optimization of the surface required for the lower flaps (47, 48), and also optionally allow obtaining a closed bottom, according to needs.

Optionally, in the embodiments of the figures, in the band (20) with weakened lines of folding and cutting, the bottom is formed by folding two first long lower panels (7) and two short lower panels (8), around respective lower weakened horizontal lines (9) punched out, becoming two short lower flaps (48) and two long lower flaps (47) perpendicular to the side walls (44, 45, 46) of the body, folded around the respective lower horizontal folds (49), as shown for example in Figs. 1, 2 and 11.

Optionally, the embodiments of Figs. 1-30 show the bottom is at least partially open, advantageously optimizing the raw material used (double-wall corrugated cardboard surface).

Alternatively, in an option not shown, the width of the lower flaps (47, 48) of the figures can be increased until the two or four lower flaps (47, 48) are face to face and/or provide at least one area superimposed contact between at least two mutually opposite lower flaps (47, 48).

Optionally, the lower flaps (47, 48) are joined together preferably by gluing as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 11 and/or socket, as shown in Figs. 16, 18, 21, 24, 26 and 28-30.

Optionally, Figs. 11 shows that, in the reinforced container (40), the lower flaps (47, 48) of the bottom are joined by gluing, by a plurality of glue cords (CC) perpendicular to the vertical folds (42).

Advantageously, this type of joining of the lower flaps (47, 48) of the bottom can be carried out by machine at very low costs, resulting in a considerable cost reduction of the palletized structure.

Optionally, the glue (CC) applied to some and/or all parts of the reinforced container (40) are applied by machine without horizontal displacement of the reinforced container (40).

Complementarily, Fig. 11 shows that the lower flaps (47, 48) may be joined together by gluing by a plurality of glue cords (CC) perpendicular to the vertical folds (42), arranged in four overlapping areas. of the lower flaps (47, 48).

Alternatively, in an option not shown, the bottom flaps (47, 48) may be glued to the bottom of the first and second side walls (44, 45) by a plurality of glue cords (CC) parallel to the vertical folds (42).

Optionally, in Figs. 15-30, the lower flaps (47, 48) are joined together, by interlocking, by punched cutting lines (19a) arranged in portions of the lower flaps (47, 48).

Following in all embodiments, Figs. 1, 5 and 10 show in detail that, in the reinforced container, the folded band (20) constituting the body is made of double-walled corrugated cardboard, with only five sheets: three smooth sheets (21) and two corrugated sheets (22). arranged between two of the smooth leaves (21). To increase the vertical compression resistance of the reinforced container, the two corrugated sheets (22) form vertical grooves (23). in the eight side walls (44, 45, 46), arranged perpendicularly to the bottom, as seen in Figs. 1 and 5.

Optionally, Fig. 10 shows that the corrugated sheets (22) are of different corrugation amplitude from each other to increase the mechanical resistance of the reinforced container (40).

For the other embodiments of the reinforced container (40), the structure of the corrugated cardboard and the orientation of the grooves (23) is shown in detail in Figs. 15, 20, 22 and 27.

Continuing in all embodiments, Figs. 11 and 12 show that the reinforced upper mouthpiece is at least partially open and is delimited by upper parts of the side walls (44, 45, 46).

In the specific case of the embodiments of Figs. 1-12 and 15 to 30, the first and second side walls (44, 45) are delimited superiorly by respective upper horizontal folds (53) formed around respective upper weakened horizontal lines (13) punched out of the band (20). ), and the smaller side walls (46) are delimited by folded cutting lines (57), folded around the vertical folds (42), constituting the upper part of the chamfers of the body, obtained by the folding of respective lines cutting dies (17) of the band (20) deployed around the weakened vertical lines (2) of die-cut folding.

Optionally, each punched cutting line (17) can be linear as in Figs. 1-14, or it may be a broken punched cutting line (17) as shown in Figs. 15-22 and/or a combination of these options as shown in Fig. 23-30.

In the specific case of the embodiment of Figs. 13-14, the first side walls (44) are delimited superiorly by respective upper horizontal folds (53) formed around respective upper weakened horizontal lines (13) punched out of the band (20), and the smaller side walls ( 46) are delimited by folded cutting lines (57), folded around the vertical folds (42), constituting the upper part of the chamfers of the body obtained by the folding of respective die-cut cutting lines (17) of the band (twenty).

Continuing in all embodiments, Figs. 11 and 12 show that the upper mouthpiece is reinforced by at least two or at least four upper flaps (51, 52), two first upper flaps (51) attached to the top of the first side walls (44) and/or two second upper flaps (52) attached to the upper parts of the second side walls (45).

In the particular embodiment of Figs. 13 and 14, the upper embouchure is reinforced by two upper flaps (51, 52), specifically by the first two upper flaps (51) joined to the upper parts of the first side walls (44).

In the particular embodiments of Figs. 1-12 and 15 to 30, the upper mouthpiece is reinforced by four upper flaps (51, 52), two first upper flaps (51) attached to the top of the first side walls (44) and two second upper flaps (52 ) attached to the upper parts of the second side walls (45).

Since the upper mouthpiece is reinforced by at least two or at least four upper flaps (51, 52), an alternative option, not shown in the figures, is a mouthpiece reinforced with eight upper flaps, one upper flap being attached to the upper part. superior each of the at least eight lateral walls (44, 45, 46).

Optionally, Figs. 1-12 and 15-30 show that the upper embouchure is reinforced only by four upper flaps (51, 52), two first upper flaps (51) and two second upper flaps (52).

Optionally, Figs. 13 and 14 show that the upper embouchure is reinforced only by two second upper flaps (52).

Commonly to all embodiments, Figs. 2, 11 and 12 show that each upper flap (51, 52) comprises two respective flaps (54, 55) folded by respective upper horizontal folds (53) perpendicular to the vertical folds (42).

Optionally, in the specific case of Fig. 9, which is an embodiment similar to that of Figs. 1, 11 and 12, each first and/or second upper flap (51, 52) comprises two serial flaps folded by respective upper horizontal folds (53) perpendicular to the vertical folds (42). Each of the two serial flaps (54, 55) includes a horizontal shelf flap (54) for support in stacking, and said end flap (55) for joining a respective upper flap (51, 52) to a respective upper part of a first or second side wall (44, 45).

Optionally, in the specific case of Figs. 1-8 and 10-30, each first and/or second upper flap (51, 52) comprises three serial flaps (54, 55, 56) folded by respective upper horizontal folds (53) perpendicular to the vertical folds (42). Each of the three serial flaps (54, 55, 56) include a horizontal shelf flap (54) for stacking support, an intermediate flap (56), sandwiched between the horizontal shelf flap (54) and an end flap (55). , and said end flap (55) for joining a respective upper flap (51, 52) to a respective upper part of a first or second side wall (44, 45).

In Figs. 1, 5, 13, 15 and 23 of die-cut unfolded bands (20) from which the bodies of the reinforced containers (40) shown in Figs. 11, 12, 14, 21, 22, 28 and 29, each first upper flap (51) and/or each second upper flap (52) is formed from serial upper panels (14, 15, 16) that are connected to the upper part of the first and/or second side walls (44, 45) by respective upper weakened horizontal lines (13) punched out.

Following the bands (20) of these embodiments, each of said upper serial panels (14, 15, 16) include a shelf flap (14) that will form the folded shelf flap (54), an end panel (15) that will form the extreme flap (55) folded, as well as an intermediate panel (16) that will form an intermediate flap (56).

Continuing in the bands (20) of these embodiments, each of said upper serial panels (14, 15, 16) are connected in series to each other by respective upper weakened horizontal lines (13) die-cut around which the respective horizontal folds upper flaps (53) of the first and/or second upper flaps (51, 52) will be located.

Optionally, Figs. 1-14 show that each first and/or second top flap (51, 52) can be joined to a respective first and/or second side wall (44, 45) by gluing, with glue or adhesive, arranged on the joining flaps. (55) and or in at least the portion of each side wall where the union flap is in contact for said union, using glue applied manually and/or by machine, using adhesive strips, hot-melt glue, among other options.

Throughout this report the terms glue, adhesive and glue are synonymous.

In Figs. 1-14 said tail joining the upper flaps (51, 52) has been artificially represented visibly, for the sake of greater clarity, although the tail is not visible due to the arrangement described above.

Optionally, Figs. 6, 7 and 11 show that, in the reinforced container (40), each of the at least two or at least four top flaps (51, 52) are attached to the top parts of the first and/or second side walls by a respective plurality of cords of thermofusible glue (CC) parallel to the vertical folds (42).

Advantageously, this type of joining of the upper flaps can be carried out by machine at very low costs, since thanks to the configuration of the pluralities of glue parallel to the vertical folds (42) it can be carried out in an economical and compact machine at high speeds, with a relative vertical movement between glue injectors and upper flaps, resulting in a considerable reduction of costs. Furthermore, the specific choice of thermo-meltable type glue makes it possible to form the upper flaps (51, 52) reliably and at high speeds.

Optionally, in the embodiments of Figs. 15-30, each first and/or second top flap (51, 52) may be attached to a respective first and/or second side wall (44, 45) by interlocking, with at least a respective portion of the end flap (55a ) introduced into at least one respective die-cut cutout (5a) made in the first and/or second side wall (44, 45).

In one option, the upper mouth is configured to support a reinforced container (40) and pallet (70) assembly in stacking, in the three-high stacks of Figs. 31, 32 and 35.

In another option, the upper mouth is configured to support two sets of reinforced container (40) and pallet in stacking, in the two-height stacks of Figs. 33, 34 and 37.

Commonly to all embodiments, in Figs. 2, 7, 11 and 12, on the outer side of the lateral contour of each corner zone, each respective outer side of the chamfer positionally delimits a respective outer free space (50). Each free space (50) has a continuous vertical extension from the bottom to the upper mouth.

Commonly to all embodiments, Figs. 2, 7, 11 and 12 show that, in each respective free space (50), a respective elongated column element (60) additional to the body is housed, in contact with a respective chamfer. Each column element (60) has a vertical extension that extends from the bottom to the upper mouth.

Preferably, each of said column elements (60) is a slender piece of constant and closed cross section.

According to a first option, each of said column elements (60) of Figs. 3, 16-17 and 24-25 is a slender piece of constant and closed triangular cross section.

According to a second option, each of said column elements (60) of Figs. 2-14 and 29-30 is a slender piece of constant, closed circular/circumferential cross section.

According to alternatives not shown in the figures, each of said column elements (60) can be of polygonal cross section with a number of sides greater than three: rectangular, hexagonal, etc.

According to other alternatives, each of said column elements (60) can be solid pieces (not shown in the figures) or hollow, as shown in Figs. 3-30.

Alternatively, each of said column elements (60) may be of open cross section (not shown in the figures), for example, V or L shaped, etc.

Preferably, said column elements (60) are made of cardboard or several sheets of paper joined together, that is, of a material with several superimposed layers of paper. For example, the column elements (60) of the figures can be made of corrugated cardboard, laminated / compact cardboard, cardboard cardboard, and/or a combination of these.

Optionally, the union of some parts of the band (20) constituting the body with others is by glue and/or insertion, and the folded band (20) constituting the body and the column elements (60) are jointly devoid of plastic sheets of coating and/or internal plastic sheets.

Advantageously, in this option, the recycling of the constituent materials of the reinforced container is simplified, reducing recycling costs to produce new reinforced containers (40), resulting in a lower carbon footprint for the manufacture of the reinforced containers (40). On the one hand, the glue connection (CC) has the advantage that the joined parts are completely immobilized, without play, increasing the resistance of the reinforced container (40). On the other hand, the socket connection has the advantage of not requiring consumable material, reducing the manufacturing costs of the reinforced container (40) in manual and/or automatic assembly.

The Figs. 11, 21, 28 and 29 show that, in all embodiments, in the reinforced container (40), each side wall (44, 45, 46) and each vertical fold (42) of the body has a continuous vertical extension that extends from the bottom to the upper mouth, to reinforce the reinforced container (40) against vertical and horizontal forces.

For all embodiments, Figs. 12, 14, 17, 25 and 30 show that, in the reinforced container (40), each free space (50) is accessible from the outer side of the lateral contour of the body to facilitate the arrangement of each column element (60) in each free space, in contact with each chamfer formed by at least one minor side wall (46).

Preferably, each of the vertical measurements of the side walls (44, 45, 46) and each of the vertical measurements of the folds (42) and each vertical measurement of the free spaces (50) have a vertical dimension (D1) associated with the height of the container - vertical distance between horizontal shelf flaps (54) of the upper mouth and horizontal bottom, between 500 and 1200 millimeters, to reinforce the reinforced container (40) and to enable the stacking of two or three palletized structural assemblies , each palletized structural assembly comprising one or two reinforced containers (40) supported at the same height on a respective pallet (70), as shown in Figs. 31-37.

Preferably, Figs. 11, 12, 14, 21, 22, 28 and 29 show that, in each corner area of the reinforced container (40), a respective upper lateral extreme part (54u, 54e, 14a) of the first and/or second upper flap (51, 52) is configured to be supported in stacking on a respective upper part (6u, 57) of a respective chamfer, cooperating with it. Each lateral extreme top part (54u, 54e, 14a) serves as an upper immobilization stop for the chamfer.

Continuing in this preferred embodiment, in the reinforced container (40), each respective first and/or second upper flap (51, 52) folded and supported in a respective pair of chamfers form a respective porch, one associated with each of the first and/or second side walls (44, 45), to reinforce the reinforced container (40) by compression and to immobilize the reinforced upper mouth, the chamfers and the first and/or second side walls (44, 45) with respect to the bottom.

Advantageously, thanks to these at least two porticos, formed by four chamfers as four vertical pillars, and two upper flaps (51, 52) folded, as lintels, supported on these chamfers, there are parts of the upper mouth that rest on the upper part of the chamfers, to avoid the collapse or deformation downwards of the stacking support shelf flaps (54), keeping them horizontal, thanks to the fact that each of the two first and/or second upper flaps (51, 52) rest on a respective pair of chamfers.

The frames are advantageously made up of parts of the band (20) that constitutes the body, reducing production costs both by stock management and by reducing assembly times, using minimal raw materials.

Advantageously, these two frames and the four column elements (60) arranged in the free spaces (50) act synergistically in each corner area to considerably increase the vertical resistance of the reinforced container (40).

In a first option shown in Figs. 11, 12, 14, 21, 22, 28 and 29, in each corner area, said upper lateral extreme part (54u, 54e, 14a) includes an upper lateral extension (54u) of the shelf flap (54) of the first and/or second upper flap (51, 52).

In the band (20) displayed in Figs. 1, 5, 13, 15 and 23, the upper lateral extension (54u) (54u) is obtained from an upper extreme lateral portion (14u) of the upper serialized panels (14, 15, 16), specifically located in the lateral end of the shelf panel (14).

Optionally, Figs. 11, 12, 14, 21, 22, 28 and 29 show that each of said lateral end upper parts (54u, 54e, 14a) is configured to be supported on stacking in an upper part (57) of a smaller side wall (46) of the chamfer, said upper part including an upper punched line, which also serves as an upper immobilization stop of the chamfer.

Complementarily, said upper punched line of the upper part (57) of the chamfer can be a punched cutting line (17) as shown in Figs. 1, 13, 15 and 23.

Alternatively, in an option shown in the figures, said punched line (17) of the upper part (57) of the chamfer can be a punched fold line that connects the chamfer, formed by the at least one side wall, with a top flap. addition of the upper embouchure.

In a second option shown in Figs. 21, 22, 28 and 29, in each corner area, said lateral extreme upper part (54u, 54e, 14a) includes a respective lateral connection flap portion (54e) of the shelf flap (54) of the first and/or or second upper flaps (51, 52) to also join the first upper flaps (51) with the second upper flaps (52) in the corner areas, to reinforce the upper mouth against compression forces.

Advantageously, this union of first and second upper flaps together with the lateral connecting flap portions (54e) provides that the upper mouth acts as a closed polygonal ring, and not as individual reinforced slats, which:

- provides a highly reinforced mouthpiece, with improved stability and reliability, for support in stacking;

- minimizes even greater deformations due to longitudinal and transversal stresses, for example, due to radial expansion stresses that tend to open the mouthpiece and/or oscillations in the upper mouthpiece with respect to the bottom (warping).

Optionally, said unions with the lateral connection flap portions (54e) can be by gluing and/or by interlocking.

Optionally, in the embodiments of Figs. 19, 21, 22, 28 and 29, the lateral connection flap portions (54e) are arranged at the lateral ends of the first upper flaps (51), each lateral connection flap portion (54e) being embraced between a respective end of a horizontal shelf flap (54) and a respective end of the extreme flap (55) connecting the second upper flaps (52).

The deployed band (20) of Figs. 15 and 23 show the portion of the lateral connection panel (14e) of the horizontal shelf panel (14), corresponding to each portion of the lateral connection flap (54e) in the folded band (20) constituting the body.

In a third option, shown in the embodiments of Figs. 15-29, in each corner area, said lateral extreme upper part (54u, 54e, 14a) includes at least one upper cut line (14a) of the shelf flap (54) that delimits an upper cavity, where at least The upper part (6u) of the at least one smaller side wall (46) that forms the chamfer includes an upper projection that is immobilized in a socket connection.

Advantageously, a socket connection does not require a binding agent, which simplifies and reduces the cost of production of the folded band (20) constituting the body.

Optionally, said punched line (17) of the upper part (57) of the chamfer may include a straight punched line as shown in Figs. 1-14 and/or a broken punched line (17) forming an upper projection (6u) as shown in Figs. 15-29.

The previously described options for upper lateral end parts (54, 54e, 14a) may be optionally combined with each other, as shown in Figs. 21, 28 and 29.

Preferably, in Figs. 21, 22, 28 and 29, in each corner area, said upper lateral extreme part (54u, 54e, 14a) of the first and/or second upper flap (51, 52) is superiorly adjacent to the upper part of each respective column element (60). Said lateral extreme upper parts (54u, 54e, 14a) cooperate with the column elements (60), being supported in stacking on the column element elements (60), to reinforce the reinforced container (40) under compression and to immobilize the upper mouth. reinforced, the chamfers and the first and/or second side walls (44, 45) with respect to the bottom.

Advantageously, in this preferable option, thanks to the fact that the lateral extreme upper part (54u, 54e, 14a) of the first and/or second upper flaps (51, 52) are supported both on the upper part of the chamfers and on the upper part. top of each column element (60), the vertical resistance of the reinforced container (40) is further increased and its swaying oscillations (side-to-side oscillations of side walls (44, 45, 46) and mouth) are mitigated, at the same time they keep the shelf flaps (54) in a horizontal position in the face of greater load stresses, avoiding the collapse deformation of the shelf flaps (54) that can cause the collapse of the reinforced containers (40) when stacked.

Preferably, in Figs. 11, 12, 21, 22, 28 and 29 of the reinforced container (40), the upper mouth is reinforced by at least four upper flaps (51, 52). Furthermore, in each corner area, two respective lateral extreme upper parts (54u, 54e, 14a), one of the first upper flap (51) and another of the second upper flap (52), They cooperate and are configured to be supported in stacking on an upper part (6u, 57) of a respective chamfer, each pair of lateral extreme upper parts (54u, 54e, 14a) serving as an upper immobilization stop of the chamfer formed by the at least a minor side wall (46) folded.

Following these preferred embodiments of Figs. 11, 12, 21,22, 28 and 29, the reinforced container (40) comprises four porches, formed by said four chamfers as four pillars and said four upper flaps (51, 52) as lintels, folded and supported in the chamfers with the upper lateral extreme parts (54u, 54e, 14a), each porch being associated with each of the first and second side walls (44, 45).

Advantageously, thanks to these four porticos, the sinking of the upper mouth is prevented to a greater extent, keeping the shelf flap (54) in a horizontal position.

Advantageously, thanks to these four frames, the horizontal resistance of the reinforced container (40) is also significantly improved, including resistance to radial horizontal stresses caused by the contained product and longitudinal and transverse horizontal stresses.

Advantageously, thanks to these four porticos, the compression resistance of the reinforced container (40) is also significantly improved, since in each of the four corners there are two respective parts of the upper mouth that rest, being supported, on the upper part. of the chamfer, forming the four porticos. Each of these frames is associated with each of the first and second side walls (44, 45), each lintel resting on a respective pair of chamfers.

Preferably, in the embodiments of Figs. 11, 12, 14, 21, 28 and 29, in each corner area, at least part of a lateral end (55e) of a first upper flap (51) is laterally adjacent to the chamfer, serving as an upper longitudinal horizontal immobilization stop of the chamfer.

Advantageously, thanks to the four upper longitudinal horizontal immobilization stops:

- in the face of the longitudinal horizontal forces to which the container is subjected, and despite the semi-rigid nature of the cardboard, the relative position between parts of the upper mouth is maintained, and the relative position between the upper mouth and the four chamfers is maintained, avoiding positional deviations and/or deformations, propping up the chamfers in their upper part with cardboard parts that constitute the body itself; - the container resists in practice the longitudinal horizontal forces to which it is subjected when stacking, both during handling, storage and transportation;

- it is possible to use a smaller amount of raw material from the single band (20) with which the body is made up, for example, using a smaller cardboard surface and/or a smaller cardboard thickness, resulting in a smaller development of corrugated sheets ( 22);

- minimizes longitudinal oscillations in the upper mouth with respect to the bottom and side walls (44, 45, 46), that is, it immobilizes the smaller side walls and longitudinally reinforced mouth, which can occur in conditions of handling and/or storage and/or transportation , preventing the collapse of the reinforced container (40) in stacking due to side-by-side horizontal forces (sway oscillations)

- The reinforced mouth has improved stability and reliability, for stacking support, preventing the stack of sets or more reinforced containers (40) and pallets from falling, resulting in lower production costs for the container full of product.

In addition to the previous preferable option, as shown in Figs. 11, 12, 21,22, 28 and 29, in the reinforced container (40):

- the upper mouthpiece comprises said four upper flaps (51, 52);

- in each corner area, at least part of a lateral end (55e) of the second upper flap (52) is laterally adjacent to the chamfer, serving as an upper stop for transverse horizontal immobilization of the chamfer; and

- the reinforced upper mouth forms a closed ring of horizontal reinforcement and horizontal immobilization, said closed ring including the upper parts of the side walls (44, 45, 46), where the two first and two second side walls (44, 45) They are reinforced by the two first and two second upper ones (51, 52) folded, and including the closed ring the upper parts the four chamfers jointly reinforced by said eight upper stops, four upper longitudinal horizontal immobilization stops and said four upper immobilization stops transversal horizontal, which join the four upper flaps (51, 52) in contact with the upper parts of the four chamfers in the face of horizontal stacking forces, to reinforce and immobilize the reinforced container (40) in the face of horizontal forces.

Advantageously, the reinforced container (40), now with the closed reinforcement and immobilization ring, formed thanks to the synergistic cooperation of the eight upper stops of union between four upper flaps (51, 52) and chamfers formed by the smaller lateral walls (46):

- minimizes deformations and increases resistance to horizontal stresses in one or more directions, including longitudinal and transverse horizontal stresses, for example those due to the warping effect, or a combination of these, for example, to horizontal radial expansion stresses caused by the products contained in the reinforced container (40), which tend to open the upper mouth and deform the side walls (44, 45, 46), pushing them out of the lateral contour, causing losses of product contained due to the collapse of the stack of reinforced containers (40) supported on pallet (70);

- minimizes horizontal oscillations due to the swaying effect according to one or more any horizontal directions in the upper mouth with respect to the bottom and side walls (44, 45, 46), that is, it is capable of immobilizing the smaller side walls (46) and reinforced mouth with respect to the bottom and side walls (44, 45, 46) both longitudinally, transversely and radially, which can occur in handling and/or storage and/or transportation conditions, avoiding the collapse of the reinforced container (40) in stacking due to horizontal forces. side to side (sway oscillations).

Additionally, in Figs. 11, 12, 14, 21,28 and 29, the parts of the lateral ends (55e), acting as stops with the chamfers, have contact surfaces corresponding to the thickness of the band (20) of double-sided corrugated cardboard. wall. The contact surfaces are arranged to reinforce the reinforced container (40) against horizontal forces.

Advantageously, the choice of double-wall corrugated cardboard for the band (20) constituting the body has a dual purpose, not only providing improved reinforcement against vertical forces, but also providing improved reinforcement of the upper horizontal immobilization stops to resist horizontal forces. .

Advantageously, the thickness of the double-wall corrugated cardboard provides a large contact surface for improved relative immobilization between chamfers and folded top flaps (51, 52) and improved reinforcement of chamfers and folded top flaps (51, 52), all this in a mitigation of oscillations due to horizontal transverse and/or longitudinal loads and/or swaying effect.

Optionally, the lateral end parts (55e) correspond to first die-cut lines (15e) and/or second die-cut lines (15e, 16e) that will be described later.

Preferably, in the embodiments of Figs. 11, 12, 14, 21, 28 and 29, in each corner area, one of said first upper flaps (51) has at least part of a lateral end (55e), which includes at least part of a first die-cut line ( 15e) of the end joining flap (55), as shown by the deployed bands in Figs. 1, 5, 13, 15 and 23.

The lateral end (55e) of said first flap (51) is laterally adjacent to an upper part of one of said chamfers, to remain in lateral contact with horizontal stacking forces.

Optionally, in Figs. 1, 5, 13, 15 and 23, in the deployed band (20) constituting the body, each weakened vertical line (2) punched out, forming each vertical fold (42), is collinear with a first punched line (15e) of the lateral end of the end joining panel (15) forming the end flap (55) of connection.

In option of the embodiments of Figs. 1-14, each of said first die-cut lines (15e) of the lateral end (55e) of the end flap (55) of connection is a line with at least one vertical portion parallel and adjacent to a respective vertical delimiting fold (42). of a respective chamfer.

Optionally, each of the first die-cut lines (15e) includes a vertical portion, comprising in the case of a broken line that includes a projection (not shown in the figures), and/or in the case of a straight line (as shown in Figs. 11-14), among other options.

The first punched line (15e) of the first upper flap (51) serves as an upper stop for longitudinal horizontal immobilization of said chamfer, to reinforce and immobilize the reinforced container (40) against horizontal forces.

Preferably, in the embodiments of Figs. 11, 21, 28 and 29, the reinforced upper embouchure is reinforced by four upper flaps (51, 52). Furthermore, in each corner area, one of said second upper flaps (52) has at least part of another lateral end (55e), which includes at least part of a part of another die-cut line (15e) of the end joining flap (55).

The lateral end (55e) of said second flap (52) is laterally adjacent to an upper part of one of said chamfers, to remain in lateral contact with horizontal stacking forces.

The first die-cut line (15e) of the second upper flap (52) serves as an upper stop transverse horizontal immobilization of said chamfer.

Continuing in this preferred option of Figs. 11, 21, 28 and 29, the reinforced upper mouth forms a closed reinforcement and immobilization ring, to reinforce and immobilize the reinforced container (40) against horizontal forces, said closed reinforcement and immobilization ring including:

- the upper parts of the side walls (44, 45, 46), where the two first and two second side walls (44, 45) are reinforced by the four upper flaps (51, 52) folded, and

- the upper parts of the four chamfers reinforced together by said eight upper stops, four upper longitudinal horizontal immobilization stops and said four upper transverse horizontal immobilization stops, which join the four upper flaps (51, 52) in contact with the upper parts of the four chamfers in the face of horizontal stacking forces.

Optionally, in the embodiments of Figs. 1-14, each longitudinal top stop further includes at least part of a second lateral end (56e), which includes at least a part of a second punched line (16e) of the intermediate flap (56) of the first top flap (51 ).

Complementarily to the previous paragraph, in the embodiments of Figs. 1-12, each transverse top stop further includes at least part of another second lateral end (56e), which includes at least a part of another second punched line (16e) of the intermediate flap (56) of the second top flap (52 ).

Complementarily to the previous paragraph, in the embodiments of Figs. 1-12, the second die-cut lines (16e) of the lateral end (56e) of the intermediate flap (56) of each upper stop are arranged obliquely, with respect to the vertical folds (42) and the upper horizontal folds (53), to join the four upper flaps (51, 52) in contact with the upper parts of the chamfers against horizontal transverse and longitudinal stacking forces, and where in the closed ring of reinforcement and immobilization the second die-cut lines (16e) of the lateral end ( 56e) arranged obliquely provide each of the eight upper stops with the combined horizontal, longitudinal and transverse immobilization capacity.

In Figs. 1 and 5, in each of the three upper serial panels (14, 15, 16) of the deployed band (20) constituting the body, each second die-cut line (16e) is located at the ends of the intermediate panel (16) and forms a diagonal angle.

In Figs. 1 and 5, the longitudinal distance separation between die-cut lines (16) of each intermediate panel (16) is greater than the longitudinal distance between weakened vertical lines (2) punched out delimiting the first or second panel (4, 5) where the intermediate panel (16) is connected.

Optionally, in the embodiments of Figs. 1-14, the three serial flaps (54, 55, 56) included in each upper flap (51, 52) are folded forming a triangular section in the upper part of the first and second side walls (44, 45), where The second punched line (16e) of the lateral end (56e) of the intermediate flap (56) corresponds to the hypotenuse of said triangular section.

Optionally, in the embodiments of Figs. 1-14, said triangular section forms an isosceles right-angled triangle, its sides forming two 45-degree angles and one 90-degree angle.

Optionally, in the embodiments of Figs. 1-14, each end joining flap (55) is glued to a respective top of a first or second side wall (44, 45).

In option of the embodiments of Figs. 15-30, the first punched lines (15e) of the lateral end (55e) of the end flap (55) of connection of each upper stop is arranged horizontally and each respective part of each first punched line (15e) is adjacent to a respective vertical fold (42) delimiting a respective chamfer.

Optionally, in Figs. 15-30, in each corner area, a further lower part of the band (20) constituting the body is configured to additionally immobilize and additionally reinforce the chamfer formed by said at least one minor side wall (46) at a respective lower end of the chamfer.

In addition to the previous option in Figs. 15-30, in each corner area, said additional lower part includes a lower part (18) of the lower flaps (47, 48) that cooperates with a lower part (6d) of the at least one minor side wall (46) , to serve as a transverse and/or longitudinal lower immobilization stop for the smaller side walls (46), as shown in Figs. 15-30.

In addition to the previous option in Figs. 15-30, in each corner area, said lower part (18) of the lower flaps (47, 48) includes at least one lower cut line of the lower flaps (47, 48) in contact with a lower part (6d ) of the at least one minor side wall (46), as shown in Figs. 15-30.

Optionally to the previous paragraph, Figs. 15-22 show that, in each corner area, said lower cut line of the lower flaps (47, 48) delimits at least one cavity (19) of the lower flaps (47, 48). The lower part (6d) is inserted into each cavity (19), which includes a lower projection of a smaller side wall (46), to immobilize the chamfer from below by means of a socket connection.

Optionally, the embodiments of Figs. 2, 3, 7, 16-18, in each corner region, a corner flap portion (47a, 48a) of one or more of said lower flaps (47, 48) is arranged inferiorly adjacent the free space (50) and a column element (60) is supported and immobilized in one of said corner flap portions (47a, 48a). Furthermore, each upper part of the column element (60) is immobilized by at least one of said lateral extreme upper parts (54u, 54e, 14a).

Advantageously, this arrangement of the upper and lower parts of the column elements provides the reinforced container with a stable and reliable upper and lower support surface, both at the upper mouth and at the bottom, avoiding collapses and losses, resulting in lower costs. .

Advantageously, this immobilization at the lower and upper ends of each column element (60) additionally simplifies the manual and/or automatic machine assembly of the column elements (60) in contact with the outer side of the chamfers and housed in the free spaces (50), reducing production costs, in addition to an optional retention operation of the column elements (60) against the outside of the chamfers by a unifilar retention element (80) that will be described later.

Optionally, each first and/or second upper flap (51, 52) comprises only said three consecutive flaps (54, 55, 56), as shown in Figs. 1-8 and 10-30.

Preferably, the perpendicular distance between horizontal folds (53) delimiting the shelf flap (54) can be comprised in any measure between 15 and 150 millimeters, and the union of the upper flaps (51, 52) to the upper parts of The first and/or second side walls (44, 45) can be selected from a glue connection as shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 14, a socket connection as shown in Figs. 19, 21, 28 and 29 and/or a combination of these unions (not shown).

Optionally, Figs. 1-22 and 29-30 show that, in the reinforced container (40), the lateral contour is octagonal and is formed by only eight lateral walls (44, 45, 46) connected one after the other, in series, comprising each corner area only a minor side wall (46) of chamfer formation.

Alternatively, in an option not shown, in the reinforced container (40), the lateral contour is dodecagonal, with two smaller lateral walls (46) forming a chamfer in each one of the four corner zones, and is formed by only twelve side walls (44, 45, 46) connected one after the other, in series, each corner zone comprising two smaller side walls (46) for forming the chamfer.

According to another option not shown, in the reinforced container (40), the lateral contour has sixteen angles, with two smaller side walls (46) forming a chamfer in each of the four corner areas, and is formed by only sixteen side walls ( 44, 45, 46) connected one after the other, in series, each corner area comprising three smaller side walls (46) for forming the chamfer.

Advantageously, a contour of twelve or sixteen angles increases the interior volume of each reinforced container (40), allowing a greater amount of product contained in each reinforced container (40), with the same effective plan area occupied by the reinforced container ( 40) for storage and/or transportation.

Optionally, Figs. 23-28 show that, in the reinforced container (40), the lateral contour is octagonal and is formed by at least sixteen side walls (44, 45, 46), each corner area comprising a chamfer constituted by a reinforcing pillar that includes at least three minor side walls (46) in mutual contact forming a multilayer wall that comprises at least one triple minor side wall, and where in each corner area the multilayer wall arranged is diagonally with respect to the first and second side walls (46). 44, 45) contiguous.

Optionally, Figs. 31-37 show that at least one unifilar retaining element (80) surrounds the outer lateral contour of the body at least partially and/or completely and surrounds a plurality and/or all of the column elements (60), to keep the elements in position. column elements (60) in contact with the chamfers on the outside of the lateral contour in the event of horizontal forces.

Advantageously, the deformations of the two respective vertical folds (42) delimiting at least two or four chamfers are minimized, upon tightening of the unifilar element (80), since the tightening of the at least one retaining element (80) is distributed between part of the lateral contour and at least a plurality of column elements (60), resulting in an increase in compression resistance.

Furthermore, advantageously, the unifilar retaining elements (80) can be positioned at any level with respect to the bottom to avoid deforming the vertical folds (42) thanks to the integral external arrangement of the column elements (60).

In the options of Figs. 31-37, a plurality of unifilar retaining elements (80) surround the outer lateral contour of the body of the reinforced container (40) completely, surrounding the four column elements (60), to maintain the column elements (60) in position in contact against the chamfers on the outside of the lateral contour against horizontal forces.

In the option of Figs. 35-36, a unifilar retaining element (80) partially surrounds the outer lateral contour of two reinforced containers (40), surrounding two of the four column elements (60) of a reinforced container (40), and two column elements (60). of another reinforced container (40), to keep the column elements (60) arranged on the outside of the lateral contour in position in the face of horizontal forces.

Preferably, the unifilar retaining elements are straps (80).

Preferably, in the embodiments of Figs. 1-28, the smaller side walls (46) are flat to enable improved positioning of the column elements (60) in contact with the chamfers in the corner areas.

Advantageously, the flatness of the side walls (46) provides reliable positioning of the column elements (60) and provides simplicity for manual and/or automatic machine assembly of the column elements (60) in the external free spaces (50). .

Likewise, advantageously, the free spaces (50) and the flat chamfers arranged diagonally with respect to the first and second side walls (44, 45) provide the possibility of arranging column elements with a wide range of shapes: triangular, rectangular, circular, V-shaped, L-shaped, etc., enabling a large contact surface, if desired, against the flat face of the at least one minor side wall (46) of the chamfer, ensuring the positioning of the column elements (60), resulting in improved resistance of the reinforced container (40).

Optionally to the previous preferable option, in the embodiments of Figs. 3, 16-18 and 24 26, each column element (60) includes at least one prism of triangular section, with one of the sides of the prism in contact with a respective chamfer.

Advantageously, the flat contact side of the prism provides reliable positioning of the column elements (60), simplifies the manual and/or automatic machine assembly of the column elements (60) in the free spaces (50) in contact with the chamfers, reducing production costs.

Additionally, following the embodiments of Figs. 3, 16-18 and 24-26, each column element (60) only comprises a triangle-shaped section prism rectangle, and each of the two extreme vertices of the side of the prism in contact with a respective chamfer are coincident with the vertical folds (42) delimiting the chamfer, to minimize the deformations of the vertical folds (42) delimiting the four chamfers before the tightening of at least one unifilar element (80).

Advantageously, the rectangular triangular shape of the only column element (60) per corner area minimizes raw material, further simplifies the manual and/or automatic machine assembly of the column elements (60) in the free spaces (50) of the areas. corner, reducing production costs, and optimizing volumes occupied in stacking since the body and the column elements (60) can be inscribed in a rectangle.

Preferably, in each reinforced container (40), each column element (60) is immobilized to the body, in one of said corner areas that includes the chamfer, by a retaining element. The retaining element includes glue arranged between the outer lateral contour of the body and each column element (60) and/or the retaining element includes complementary parts of the band (20) constituting the body between the outer lateral contour of the body and each column element ( 60) to retain the column elements by interlocking and/or blocking. Said immobilization of the retaining element maintains the column elements (60) in position in contact with the chamfers, prior to, and/or during, and/or subsequently the arrangement of the at least one unifilar retaining element (80).

Advantageously, the retaining element simplifies the manual and/or automatic machine assembly of the column elements (60) in the free spaces (50) of the corner areas, reducing production costs.

To manufacture the reinforced container (40) from the band (20), said band (20), which has a lateral contour closed by mutually joined lateral ends thereof, is deployed from a flattened configuration (not shown) to a at least partially folded configuration shown in Fig. 6, to form a closed tubular lateral contour.

In the flattened configuration of the band (20), a plurality of the at least eight panel sectors (4, 5, 6) is configured to be coplanar with respect to another plurality of the at least eight panel sectors (4, 5, 6) of the band (20), thus minimizing volumes and storage and/or transportation costs of the bands (20).

The flattened configuration of the band (20) has a closed flattened lateral contour with mutually joined ends, and is obtained from the flat configuration of the band (20) of Fig. 1.

In the flattened configuration with closed lateral contour of the band (20), through the lateral joining portion (3) two mutually extreme side panels of the band (20) are joined. In this particular case of Fig. 1, said side panels are a second side panel (5) and a smaller side panel (6).

In the flattened configuration of the band (20), in addition to the ends of the band (20) being joined, the band (20) has a flattened configuration (not shown) when folded by two weakened vertical punched lines (2) of folding, forming two vertical folds (42) whose adjacent side walls form approximately 180 degrees, so that a plurality of panel sectors (4, 5, 6) of the flat band (20) of Fig. 1 are configured to remain coplanar, during stacking and/or transportation conditions, with another plurality of panel sectors (4, 5, 6) of the flat band (20) of Fig. 1, volumes and storage and/or transportation costs.

In the particular example of Fig. 1, in the flattened configuration of the band (20), the plurality of panel sectors formed by a first lateral sector (4), a second lateral sector (5) and a smaller lateral sector ( 6) are configured to be coplanar, during stacking and/or transport conditions, with another plurality of panel sectors formed by a first lateral sector (4), a second lateral sector (5) and a smaller lateral sector (6).

In the at least partially folded configuration of the band (20) shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the band (20) forms a tubular lateral contour comprising eight sides formed by said at least eight lateral walls (44, 45, 46) in series.

In the at least partially folded configuration of the band (20) shown in Figs. 6 and 7, said at least eight side walls (44, 45, 46) in series comprise two first flat side walls (44) mutually facing each other, two second flat side walls (45) mutually facing each other, and at least four smaller side walls (46). ), forming a respective chamfer at least one respective minor side wall (46) in each of the four corner areas delimited by the first and second side walls (45).

In the at least partially folded configuration of the band (20) shown in Figs. 6 and 7, each side wall (44, 45, 46) and each vertical fold (42) of the body has a continuous vertical extension corresponding to the height of the reinforced container (40), to reinforce the reinforced container (40) against vertical forces. and horizontal.

The Figs. 2, 7, 11 and 12 show that, after unfolding the band (20), four column elements (60) are arranged in respective exterior free spaces (50) arranged in the corner areas and positionally delimited by an exterior side of the chamfer accessible on the outside of the lateral contour of the body and of continuous vertical extension corresponding to the height of the reinforced container (40). Each respective element column (60) is a slender element additional to the body, with an extension corresponding to the height of the reinforced container (40), to reinforce the reinforced container (40) against vertical and horizontal forces.

Before, and/or during and/or after the arrangement of the column elements (60) in the free spaces (50), the background is formed. The bottom formed is perpendicular to the at least eight side walls (44, 45, 46), configured to be supported on a pallet (70).

The Figs. 6, 7 and 11 show that the bottom is formed by folding lower flaps (47, 48) connected to the lower part of at least the first and second side walls (44, 45) by lower horizontal folds (49).

The Figs. 11 and 12 show that, before, and/or during and/or after the arrangement of the column elements (60) in the free spaces (50), the upper mouth, delimited by upper parts of the side walls (44, 45, 46), is reinforced with at least two or four top flaps (51, 52), two first top flaps (51) attached to the top of the first side walls (44) and/or two second top flaps (52 ) attached to the upper parts of the second side walls (45).

The Figs. 6-12 show that to reinforce upper embouchure:

- two respective flaps (54, 55) are folded in each first and/or second upper flap (51, 52) folded by respective upper horizontal folds (53): a horizontal shelf flap (54) for stacking support, and a flap end (55) of connection to a respective upper part of a first or second side wall (44, 45), as shown in Figs. 8, 11 and 12, from upper series (14, 15) connected to the upper parts of the side walls by respective upper weakened horizontal lines (13) punched from Figs. 6 and 7; and

- an end flap (55) connecting to a respective upper part of a first or second side wall (44, 45) is attached to each first and/or second upper flap (51, 52).

Preferably, the reinforcement of the upper mouth is carried out after arranging the column elements (60) in the free spaces (50).

Optionally, the formation of the bottom and the reinforcement of the upper mouth are carried out after arranging the column elements (60) in the free spaces (50).

Preferably, the aforementioned deployment and reinforcement of the upper mouth are carried out with the band (20) housed in the same operational space, that is, in the same work station.

Optionally, the aforementioned deployment, formation of the bottom, and reinforcement of the upper mouth are carried out with the band (20) housed in the same operational space, that is, in the same work station.

Optionally, the arrangement of the column elements (60) in the free spaces (50) is carried out in a second work station located after the work station.

According to a second aspect, the present invention refers to a palletized structure for the transport of fruit and vegetable products, the embodiments of which are shown in Figs. 31 to 37.

In said Figs. 31-37, the palletized structure comprises only two or three palletized structural assemblies, stacked vertically one on top of the other. That is, it is a stack that includes two or three heights or levels of said sets. Each palletized structural assembly comprises only one or two of the reinforced containers (40) of the first aspect of the invention and a pallet (70) where said one or two reinforced containers (40) are supported at the same level or height.

In the first embodiment of Figs. 31-32, the palletized structure has only three heights, with a reinforced container (40) supported on each pallet (70) on the same level, one next to the other. In the first embodiment of Figs. 31-32, the vertical distance (D1) between the bottom and the upper mouth of each reinforced container (40) - corresponding to the height of the reinforced container (40) - is preferably between 500 and 700 mm, for example, said vertical distance (D1) is 600 mm.

In the second embodiment of Figs. 33-34, the palletized structure has only two heights, with a reinforced container (40) supported on each pallet (70) on the same level, one next to the other. In the second embodiment of Figs. 33-34, the vertical distance (D1) between the bottom and the upper mouth of each reinforced container (40) is preferably between 850 and 1200 mm, for example, said vertical distance (D1) is between 900 and 1000 mm.

In the third embodiment of Figs. 35-36, the palletized structure has only three heights, with only two reinforced containers (40) supported on each pallet (70) on the same level, one next to the other. In the third embodiment of Figs. 35-36, the vertical distance (D1) between the bottom and the upper mouth of each reinforced container (40) is preferably between 500 and 700 mm, for example, said vertical distance (D1) is 600mm.

In the fourth embodiment of Fig. 37, the palletized structure has only two heights, with a reinforced container (40) supported on each pallet (70) on the same level, one on the side. of other. In the fourth embodiment of Fig. 37, the vertical distance (D1) between the bottom and the upper mouth of each reinforced container (40) is preferably between 850 and 1200 mm, for example, said vertical distance (D1) is between 900 and 1000 mm.

Preferably, in Figs. 31-37, the four column elements (60) of the one or two reinforced containers (40) supported at the same height on the pallet (70) of each palletized structural assembly are immobilized to the body by at least one unifilar retaining element (80). that surrounds said one or two reinforced containers (40) along their outer lateral contour to keep the column elements (60) in position.

In Figs. 31 to 34, the column elements (60) are immobilized to the body by straps (80), corresponding to the retaining element, which tightly and completely surround the outer lateral contour of the body.

In Figs. 35 to 37, in each reinforced container (40), the column elements (60) are immobilized to the body (40) by straps (80), corresponding to the retaining element, two straps (80), the lower and upper one, surround tightly and completely the outer lateral contour of the body. In Figs. 35 to 37, the intermediate strap (80) tightly and partially surrounds the outer lateral contour of each reinforced container, since it surrounds two reinforced containers (40) to join two reinforced containers (40) supported at the same height on the pallet (70). ).

Preferably, the reinforced container(s) (40) supported on the pallet (70) at the same level or height occupy at least 80% of the base surface of the pallet (70), that is, the outer lateral contour of the pallet ( 70) occupies at least 80% of said base surface of the pallet (70).

Preferably, the base surface of the pallet (70) of Figs. 31-37 can be any of the following (measurements in millimeters per millimeters): 800 x 600, 1000 x 800, 1200 x 1000, and 1140 x 1140, that is, the largest lateral measurement of the pallet (70) is between 800 and 1200 mm, and the smaller lateral measurement of the pallet (70) perpendicular, the larger lateral measurement is between 600 and 1140 mm.

Optionally, in each reinforced container (40) of the palletized structure, the column elements (60) are immobilized to the body, in the corner areas that include the chamfers, by a second retaining element.

Said second retaining element includes glue arranged between the outer lateral contour of the body and each column element (60) in their contact area.

In an alternative option, not shown in the figures, said second retaining element and/or includes tongue-and-groove tabs for interlocking connection arranged between the outer lateral contour of the body and each column element (60).

Said immobilization of the second retaining element is configured to maintain the column elements (60) in position in contact with the chamfers, prior to, and/or during, and/or subsequently the arrangement of the at least one unifilar retaining element (80).

The scope of the present invention is given by the following claims.

Claims (26)

1.- Reinforced container (40) comprising a body obtained with a single band (20) of die-cut cardboard, the body comprising: a lateral contour comprising eight sides formed by at least eight side walls (44, 45, 46) connected one after the other, in series, by respective vertical folds (42) parallel to each other, two side walls being mutually extreme of the folded band (20) mutually joined, preferably through a side joining panel (43) as a tab; said at least eight side walls (44, 45, 46) including two first flat side walls (44) mutually facing each other and two second flat side walls (45) mutually facing each other that delimit four corner areas, and at least four smaller side walls ( 46), with at least one respective smaller side wall (46) being in each of the four corner areas forming a respective chamfer; an at least partially open reinforced upper mouth, delimited by upper parts of the side walls (44, 45, 46); a bottom perpendicular to the at least eight side walls (44, 45, 46), configured to be supported on a pallet (70), formed by lower flaps (47, 48) connected to the bottom of at least the first and second side walls (44, 45) by lower horizontal folds (49); the reinforced container (40) being characterized in that The folded band (20) constituting the body is made of double-walled corrugated cardboard, with only three smooth sheets (21) and two corrugated sheets (22) arranged between two of the smooth sheets (21), forming the two corrugated sheets (22). ) vertical grooves (23) in the eight side walls (44, 45, 46), to reinforce the reinforced container (40) under compression; The upper mouth is reinforced by at least two or four upper flaps (51, 52), two first upper flaps (51) joined to the top of the first side walls (44) and/or two second upper flaps (52) joined to the upper parts of the second side walls (45), each first and/or second upper flap (51, 52) comprising two respective flaps (54, 55) folded by respective upper horizontal folds (53), corresponding with a shelf flap horizontal (54) for stacking support, and an end flap (55) for joining to a respective upper part of a first or second side wall (44, 45); On the outer side of the lateral contour of each corner zone, each respective outer side of the chamfer positionally delimits a respective outer free space (50), of extension continuous vertical from the bottom to the upper mouth, each respective free space (50) having arranged, in contact with a respective chamfer, a respective column element (60), elongated, additional to the body, which has a vertical extension that extends from the bottom to the upper mouth, each free space (50) being accessible from the outer side of the lateral contour of the body to facilitate the arrangement of each column element (60) in each free space; and because Each side wall (44, 45, 46) and each vertical fold (42) of the body has a continuous vertical extension that extends from the bottom to the upper mouth, to reinforce the reinforced container (40) against vertical and horizontal forces. 2. - Reinforced container (40) according to claim 1, where: In each corner area, a respective upper lateral extreme part (54u, 54e, 14a) of the first and/or second upper flap (51, 52) cooperates and is supported, in stacking, on a respective upper part (6u, 57 ) of a respective chamfer, each upper lateral extreme part (54u, 54e, 14a) serving as the upper immobilization stop of the chamfer; and where in each respective first and/or second upper flap (51, 52) folded supported on a respective pair of chamfers form a respective porch, one associated with each of the first and/or second side walls (44, 45), to reinforce to compress the reinforced container (40) and to immobilize the reinforced upper mouth, the chamfers and the first and/or second side walls (44, 45) with respect to the bottom. 3. - Reinforced container (40) according to claim 2, wherein, in each corner area, said upper lateral extreme part (54u, 54e, 14a) includes an upper lateral extension (54u) of the shelf flap (54) of the first and/or second upper flap (51, 52). 4. - Reinforced container (40) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein, in each corner area, said lateral extreme top part (54u, 54e, 14a) includes a respective lateral connection flap portion (54e ) of the shelf flap (54) of the first and/or second upper flaps (51, 52) to join the first upper flaps (51) with the second upper flaps (52) in the corner areas. 5. - Reinforced container (40) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, in each corner area, said upper lateral extreme part (54u, 54e, 14a) includes at least one upper cut line (14a) of the shelf flap (54) that delimits an upper cavity, where at least the upper part (6u) of the at least one smaller side wall (46), which includes an upper projection, is immobilized in a socket connection. 6. - Reinforced container (40) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, In each corner zone, said lateral extreme upper part (54u, 54e, 14a) is superiorly adjacent to the upper part of each respective column element (60), said lateral extreme upper parts (54u, 54e, 14a) cooperating with the elements column (60), being supported in stacking on the column element elements (60), to reinforce the reinforced container (40) under compression and to immobilize the reinforced upper mouth, the chamfers and the first and/or second side walls (44, 45) with respect to the background. 7. - Reinforced container (40) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein: In each corner area, two respective lateral extreme upper parts (54u, 54e, 14a), one of the first upper flap (51) and another of the second upper flap (52), are configured to be supported, in stacking, in an upper part (6u, 57) of a respective chamfer, each pair of lateral extreme upper parts (54u, 54e, 14a) serving as an upper immobilization stop of the chamfer; and where The reinforced container (40) comprises four frames, formed by said four chamfers as four pillars and said four upper flaps (51, 52) as lintels, folded and supported on the chamfers with the lateral extreme upper parts (54u, 54e, 14a), each porch being associated with each of the first and second side walls (44, 45). 8. - Reinforced container (40) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein, in each corner area, at least part of a lateral end (55e) of a first upper flap (51) is laterally adjacent to the chamfer , serving as an upper stop for longitudinal horizontal immobilization of the chamfer. 9. - Reinforced container (40) according to claim 8, where: the upper mouthpiece comprises said four upper flaps (51, 52); in each corner area, at least part of a lateral end (55e) of the second upper flap (52) is laterally adjacent to the chamfer, serving as an upper stop for transverse horizontal immobilization of the chamfer; and where The reinforced upper mouth forms a closed ring of horizontal reinforcement and horizontal immobilization, said closed ring including the upper parts of the side walls (44, 45, 46), where the two first and two second side walls (44, 45) are reinforced by the two first and two second folded upper ones (51, 52), and including the closed ring, the upper parts, the four chamfers reinforced together by said eight upper stops, four upper immobilization stops longitudinal horizontal and said four upper transverse horizontal immobilization stops, which join the four upper flaps (51, 52) in contact with the upper parts of the four chamfers against horizontal stacking forces, to reinforce and immobilize the reinforced container (40) against horizontal efforts. 10. - Reinforced container (40) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the parts of the first of the lateral ends (55e), acting as stops with the chamfers, have contact surfaces corresponding to the thickness of the double-walled corrugated cardboard band (20), the contact surfaces being configured to immobilize and reinforce the reinforced container (40) against horizontal forces. 11. - Reinforced container (40) according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 10, wherein, in each corner area, an additional lower part of the band (20) constituting the body is configured to additionally immobilize and additionally reinforce the chamfer formed by said at least one minor side wall (46) at a respective lower end of the chamfer. 12. - Reinforced container (40) according to claim 11, wherein, in each corner area, said additional lower part includes a lower part (18) of the lower flaps (47, 48) that cooperates with a lower part (6d ) of the at least one minor side wall (46), to serve as a transverse and/or longitudinal lower immobilization stop of the minor side walls (46). 13. - Reinforced container (40) according to claim 12, wherein, in each corner area, said lower part (18) of the lower flaps (47, 48) includes at least one lower cut line of the lower flaps ( 47, 48) in contact with a lower part (6d) of the at least one minor side wall (46). 14. - Reinforced container (40) according to claim 13, wherein, in each corner area, said lower cut line of the lower flaps (47, 48) delimits at least one cavity (19) of the lower flaps (47). , 48), where the lower part (6d) of the at least one smaller side wall (46) is introduced, which includes a lower projection, to immobilize the chamfer from below by means of a socket connection. 15. - Reinforced container (40) according to any one of claims 2 to 14, wherein, in each corner area, a corner flap portion (47a, 48a) of one or more of said lower flaps (47, 48) is arranged inferiorly adjacent to the free space (50), and a column element (60) is supported and immobilized in one of said corner flap portions (47a, 48a), and each upper part of the column element (60) is immobilized by the lateral extreme top (54u, 54e, 14a). 16. - Reinforced container (40) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the bottom is at least partially open. 17. - Reinforced container (40) according to claim 16, wherein the lower flaps (47, 48) are joined together, preferably by gluing and/or fitting. 18. - Reinforced container (40) according to any one of claims 16 or 17, wherein the side contour is octagonal and is formed by only eight side walls (44, 45, 46) connected one after the other, in series, each corner zone comprising only a minor side wall (46) for forming the chamfer. 19. - Reinforced container (40) according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 17, wherein the lateral contour is octagonal and each corner area comprises a chamfer that includes at least three smaller side walls (46) in mutual contact forming a multilayer wall comprising at least one triple smaller side wall, and where in each corner area the multilayer wall arranged is diagonally with respect to the first and second adjacent side walls (44, 45). 20. - Reinforced container (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the perpendicular distance between horizontal folds (53) delimiting the shelf flap (54) can be comprised in any measure between 15 and 150 millimeters, and The connection of the upper flaps (51, 52) to the upper parts of the first and second side walls (44, 45) can be selected from a glue connection, a socket connection and/or a combination of these. 21. - Reinforced container (40) according to claim 20, wherein each upper flap (51, 52) comprises only three serial flaps (54, 55, 56) folded by respective upper horizontal folds (53) perpendicular to the vertical folds ( 42), which include said horizontal shelf flap (54) for stacking support, an intermediate flap (55) sandwiched between the horizontal shelf flap and the end flap, and said end flap (55) for attachment to a respective upper part of a first or second side wall (44, 45) 22. - Reinforced container (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one unifilar retaining element (80) surrounds the outer lateral contour of the body at least partially and/or completely and surrounds a plurality and/or the entirety of the column elements (60), to maintain the column elements (40) in position in contact against the chamfers on the outside of the lateral contour in the event of horizontal forces. 23. - Reinforced container (40) according to claim 22, wherein the side walls The smaller ones (46) are flat to keep the column elements (60) in position in contact with the chamfers. 24. - Reinforced container (40) according to claim 22, wherein each column element (60) includes at least one prism of triangular section, with one of the sides of the prism in contact with a respective chamfer. 25. - Reinforced container (40) according to claim 24, wherein each column element (60) comprises only a prism with a section in the shape of a right triangle, the two extreme vertices on the side of the prism being in contact with a respective flat chamfer. , coinciding with the vertical folds (42) delimiting the chamfer, to minimize the deformations of the vertical folds (42) delimiting the four chamfers when the at least one unifilar retaining element (80) is tightened. 26. - Palletized structure, characterized in that it comprises only two or three palletized structural assemblies stacked vertically one on top of another, each palletized structural assembly comprising only one or two respective reinforced containers (40) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 25 and a respective pallet (70) where said one or two respective reinforced containers (40) are supported on the same level.