ES2388249T3 - Preform of cardboard or similar material to make a belt from a container, and belt and container thus obtained - Google Patents

Abstract

Preform of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or semi-rigid analog material, for the realization of a side belt (8.8.1) of polygonal section of a container (9), of the type comprising a succession of aligned panels (2, 3, 4,5 ) joined to each other by first parallel folding lines (6) to form, after folding around said first lines, said lateral belt, characterized in that it further comprises, in a first lateral side (10) of said succession of panels: - cavities (11) made at the angles of each of said panels (2, 3, 4, 5), and - side reinforcement flaps (12) that extend said succession of panels with cavities around second folding lines ( 14) perpendicular to said first lines, and which extends substantially along each panel, passing over said cavities (11), and in the second lateral side (15) of said succession of panels: - lateral pins (16) which on they leave the angles of said panels and located substantially in correspondence with said cavities (11), said lateral spikes (16) having a complementary shape of said cavities (11).

Description

Preform of cardboard or similar material to make a belt from a container, and belt and container thus obtained.

The present invention concerns a preform of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or semi-rigid analog material intended for the putting in the form of a side belt preferably of polygonal section of a container, as well as the container for the packaging of objects, made, in particular, from the stacking of the side belts obtained.

To ensure the transport of objects in general, such as food products, parts, etc., that are already packaged or in bulk, from a storage and / or manufacturing site to a distribution site or from a workshop to another, they are used Large containers or boxes that can contain such objects. Likewise, these containers must be robust, reusable to allow a large number of rotations between the different sites and / or workshops and, also, laid flat when emptied to occupy a minimum volume.

In addition, placement on the pallet is an important condition of packaging of this type due to the frequently high weight of the loaded objects, which makes it easier to move. In addition, the transport of partially filled containers is expensive and should be avoided, so that it is interesting to best adapt their volume to the loads to be transported.

A container that meets these different aspects is proposed in particular in document FR 2 921 350 of the applicant and comprises for this a bottom and at least one side belt of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or other semi-rigid material, composed of two belt elements. Each of them is obtained from a preform of the type comprising a succession of aligned panels joined to each other by parallel folding lines to form, after folding around said lines, the belt element in question.

In this embodiment, the panels of each preform are in number of four, so that the belt element obtained has a rectangular cross-section with the four opposite panels parallel two to two.

The two preforms are arranged one on top of the other and in a manner that is bent in height relative to each other in order to constitute, after bending, a side belt having an internal belt element and an external belt element, with lower edges and superior of said elements that stand out in opposition to said belt obtained.

Therefore, it is understood that the realization of the container consists of the assembling by assembling of several belts, the lower protruding edge of the inner element of a first belt fitting in the upper protruding edge of the external element of a second belt, and so on. In this way, a height-adjustable container is constituted by the superposition of the belts, with side panels folded in thickness by the two belt elements assembled, which gives the container an important stiffness with an ease of assembly appreciable by the fit of the peripheral edges in question. In addition, the volume of the container can thus be adjusted by the number of belts to be stacked and, therefore, adapted to the objects to be transported.

Although they give satisfactory results, the containers obtained from these belts with two elements are, nevertheless, onerous and large consumers of material, since they are finally composed for each belt by two associated belt elements obtained from two preforms substantially identical overlays.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and concerns, in particular, a preform for the realization of a side belt of a container, whose conception ensures a significant material saving while maintaining sufficient rigidity for said obtained belt.

For this purpose, the preform of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or semi-rigid similar material for the realization of a polygonal section side belt of a container, of the type comprising a succession of aligned panels joined to each other by first parallel folding lines for forming, after folding around said first lines, said side belt, is remarkable, according to the invention, because it further comprises, on a first side of said succession of panels:

-

cavities practiced at the angles of each of said panels, and

-

reinforcing side flaps that extend said succession of panels with cavities around second fold lines perpendicular to said first lines and that extend substantially along each panel passing over said cavities; Y

on the second side of said panel succession:

-

lateral pins protruding from the angles of said panels and located substantially in correspondence with said cavities, said lateral pins having a complementary shape to that of said cavities.

Thus, thanks to the invention, a single and same preform serves for the realization of the side belt, which entails an economy of material and significant cost, while retaining the advantageous properties of the anterior double belt.

In fact, the principle of fitting the belts is preserved and is obtained by the coupling of the pins located in the corners of a first belt formed in the corresponding cavities of a second formed belt, which ensures an optimum draft of these after the piled up. The stiffness and seat of the belts one above the other are ensured by the reinforcement flaps folded against the panels over their entire perimeter reinforcing, in particular, the places where they are emptied, which allows, otherwise, to guide and maintain the pins, and thus doubling the thickness of the upper edge of the supporting belt to the level of cooperation between the corresponding panels of the belts. Thus, said reinforcement flaps of the preform, once folded, constitute the preceding internal belt element. Otherwise, once used, the belt can go flat.

Advantageously, the height of said side flaps is at least equal to the depth of said cavities, in order to completely seal them by the folding of said side flaps against said respective panels during the putting in shape of said belt. The perimeter of this is reinforced by the flaps over a sufficient height.

Preferably, said cavities are identically and are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other, at the angles of each panel of said corresponding side of the sequence, and said lateral spikes are identically shaped, the height of these being substantially equal to the depth of these cavities.

In a particular embodiment, said preform has, on the second side of said succession of panels, side flaps connected to said panels by third folding lines parallel to the second and extending respectively between said corresponding projecting pins resulting from said panels. These side flaps will serve as support surfaces for the formed belt intended to contact a pallet.

Moreover, on said first side of said succession, lateral tabs are provided which extend at least the panels intended to be in parallel after putting said belt in shape, beyond said second folding lines in the direction of said flaps. corresponding sides, separating a cutting line said tabs from said side flaps. Thus, these tabs will participate, in addition to the spikes-cavities combinations, in the maintenance of stacked side belts.

Furthermore, the preform comprises a transverse pin for closing said succession of panels, said transverse pin being connected to one of the end panels of said succession around a folding line parallel to the first folding lines of said panels.

The invention also concerns a container side belt with a polygonal section, of the type comprising a succession formed of folded panels around first vertical parallel folding lines.

Advantageously, this is obtained from said preform as defined above.

The invention also concerns a container for the packaging of objects, of the type comprising a bottom and at least two side belts made of cardboard or similar semi-rigid material and fit to fit into each other as said container is filled, each comprising side belt a closed succession of polygonal section based on folded panels around a first vertical parallel folding lines.

According to the invention, the container is remarkable because they are provided on the upper peripheral side of each side belt:

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cavities practiced at the angles of each panel, so that two consecutive panels of said succession have contiguous cavities angled around said first corresponding folding line, and

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reinforcing side flaps that extend said panels with cavities around second lines and folded against said panels on the internal perimeter of said succession of panels happening to be placed behind said cavities, and on the lower peripheral side,

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lateral pins that protrude from the angles of each panel and located substantially in correspondence with said cavities, said lateral pins having a complementary shape to that of said cavities, so that said pins of a belt fit into said cavities of the other belt.

Thus, the belts stacked progressively during the loading of the objects are correctly cut by the spigot-cavity assemblies provided in the corners of the adjacent panels, and each of the belts rests on the panels reinforced by the flaps folded from a lower belt, which ensures the good consistency of the container thus assembled. And, in particular, at the level of the cavities that are bent by the excess thickness of the reinforcement flaps.

Preferably, the height of said side flaps is at least equal to the depth of said cavities, so that they are completely sealed by said folded side flaps.

For example, said cavities have an identical shape with a rectangular or analogous profile and are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other at the angles of each panel; and said protruding pins are identically, the height of said pins being substantially equal to the depth of said cavities.

In particular, the container has, on the lower peripheral side of said side belt, side flaps folded perpendicularly towards the inside of said belt about a third fold lines parallel to said second, and located between said protruding pins of said panels. These flaps serve as support surfaces for the first belt perched on a pallet or other arrangement that forms, for example, the bottom of the container.

The figures in the attached drawing will make it well understood how the invention can be realized. In these figures, identical references designate similar elements.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a preform of cardboard or similar material according to the invention, from which the side belt of a container is made.

Figure 2 is a variant embodiment of said preform to serve as the base side belt of said container.

Figure 3 represents, in perspective, according to a particular embodiment, the container obtained from the assembly of several stacked side belts according to the invention.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of detail D of Figure 3 showing the spigot-cavity junction between two overlapping belts.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of detail D1 of Figure 3 showing the arrangement of the bottom flaps of the base belt of the container.

As shown in Figure 1, the preform 1 preferably made of cardboard or corrugated cardboard comprises, in this example, a succession of four panels 2, 3, 4, 5 two to two identical and made by first lines folding 6 parallel verticals. Along the free edge of the outer panel 2 (the one on the left in Figure 1) a transverse pin 7 is provided articulated to this panel around an identical folding line 6 and which, in the usual way, serves to close the glue belt or other appropriate fastening means on the free edge of the other end panel 5.

Therefore, it is understood that, with four panels aligned, the side belt obtained 8 (Figure 3) has a polygonal cross-section, in this case rectangular, with two large panels 3, 5 and two small panels 2, 4. Of course, the preform 1 could comprise a different number of panels, but four is the most desired configuration for obtaining a side belt 8 and, as a consequence, of a parallelepiped container 9 such as that illustrated in Figure 3 and constituted by a stacking of four superimposed fitted side belts.

According to the invention, the preform has, in the first upper side 10 of the succession of panels, cavities 11 that are previously cut in the preform and that are located at the level of the angles of each panel. These cavities 11 are identical and rectangular in shape and are thus arranged symmetrically with respect to each other on each panel. The panels 2, 3, 4 and 5 joined by the folding lines 6 thus have the cavities 11 in extension of one another, but arranged symmetrically with respect to the corresponding folding line.

Otherwise, reinforcing side flaps 12 extend the panels 2, 3, 4, 5 on this first upper side 10 of the sequence. For this, the side reinforcement flaps 12 are articulated to the corresponding panels 2, 3, 4, 5 around a second aligned fold lines 14, perpendicular to the first fold lines

6. And it is seen in Figure 1 that the side flaps 12 extend approximately along their respective panels passing over the cavities 11. The height H of these reinforcing side flaps is, in this example, slightly greater than the P depth of the cavities as will be seen later.

And on the then lower second side 15 of the succession there are lateral pins 16 projecting from the angles of said panels opposite to the cavities 11. Thus, the pins 16 are located in correspondence with the cavities 11 and have a shape complementary to that of the cavities. Each panel 2, 3, 4 and 5 thus comprises two cavities 11 on the upper side 10 of the preform 1 and two pins 16 on the lower side 15, arranged at the angles of each of them.

The height H1 of the pins 16 is at most equal to the depth P of the cavities for an appropriate fit as will be seen later.

Furthermore, on the upper side 15 of the preform 1 there are provided tabs 17 resulting respectively from the large panels 3, 5 and located substantially in the center of these. These tabs 17, of which the second fold line 14 starts on each side, are advanced in the corresponding reinforcement flaps 12 and a cut line 18 separates them from them. The function of these tabs will be defined later.

The setting of the side belt 8 from the preform 1 is carried out as follows.

An adhesive is applied to the transverse pin 7 and then the different panels 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the preform are retracted at 90 ° next to each other around the first fold lines 6 to then glue the two free edges of the preform 1 by the spike adhesive. The side belt obtained 8 has a rectangular cross section with large panels 3, 5 and small 2, 4 opposite two to two. Next, the reinforcement side flaps 12 are retracted around the second fold lines 14 at an angle of 180 ° towards the inside of said belt 8 until they come to rest against the respective panels 2 to 5. The fixing of the flaps sides thus folded against the panels are also made there by gluing. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the folded reinforcement flaps 12 constitute an excess thickness of material in the upper part of the belt 8 from the peripheral upper edge 19 thereof to beyond the cavities 11 formed in the corners of the belt, which they are completely sealed by the reinforcement flaps 12 that extend beyond the cavities (H> P). This excess thickness provided by the reinforcement flaps 12 at the level of its folding around the lines 14 against the panels thus consolidates the entire upper perimeter of the belt there comprised at the level of the cavities 11 of the panels. The upper edge 19 of the belts has, at this level, a double thickness (panel + flap), with the exception of the empty areas 11, where only the reinforcement flaps are attached thus constituting a guide and a maintenance for the spikes that They fit in the cavities.

It is also noted that the folding of the flaps 12 of the large panels 3, 5 has allowed the central tongues 17 to be tuned thanks to the cutting line 18 of each previously arranged tongue.

It is further seen, in Figures 3 and 4, that the projecting pins 16 resulting from the lower edge 20 at the level of the second lower side 15 of the belt 8 form, by folding around the first vertical lines 6, feet angled at 90 ° with with respect to the corners of said belt. These angled feet will be advantageously inscribed respectively in the angled cavities 11 of the corners of a lower side belt, being guided and maintained by the folded flaps 12.

Several side belts 8 are thus stacked progressively one above the other depending on the needs, as shown in Figure 3, to form the represented container 9, which can comprise any number of belts.

The 16-cavities spigot joints 11 located in the corners of the belts ensure not only a good fit of the belts on each other, but the fact that they are reinforced by the flaps 12 guarantees maintenance in lateral displacements thanks to the presence of the thickness of the flaps. Between the cavities 11, the upper edge 19 of the belts is folded in thickness by the reinforcement flaps 12 against the panels 2, 3, 4 and 5, so as to ensure proper rigidity to the superposition of the belts.

On the contrary, if the stacked side belts 8 are identical to each other, the base side belt 8.1 that contacts a pallet or the like 23 that serves as the background for the container 9, is little different. Indeed, as shown in Figure 2, the preform 1.1 shown comprises, at the level of the second lower side 15 of the succession of panels, side flaps 24 attached to said panels 2, 3, 4, 5 by a third fold lines 25 parallel to the second lines 14. It is seen that these flaps 24 extend between the two corresponding pins 16 of the panels, being, of course, separated from them, and that their height is identical to the H1 of the pins. However, it could be different and large enough for these flaps 24 to form the bottom of the container.

Thus, by folding the flaps 24 towards the inside of the formed side belt 8.1, as before, around the third folding lines 25, these will serve as support surfaces on the pallet, as shown in Figure 5. Like some of the objects or boxes of objects 27 to be loaded on the side belt 8.1 thus deposited on the pallet will rest partly on the flaps 24, the belt thus "pinched" is stabilized at this level by the objects and the pallet. Of course, as seen in Figures 3 and 5, the peripheral shape of the pallet 23 corresponds substantially to that of the base belt 8.1 so that the feet 21 of the latter fit around the corners of the pallet, guaranteeing the good consistency of the container 9.

The belts can also rest on the floor with the angled feet formed by the spikes.

Moreover, the side tabs 17 also participate in the maintenance of the side belts 8 thus stacked on each other and prevent deformation of the large panels 3, 5, these remaining parallel to each other by preventing them from separating.

Once used, each belt can be easily removed and laid flat by folding it diagonally around two opposite lines 6 for minimum volume storage.

The container made by the superposition of several embedded side belts, obtained from the preforms, allows an economy of important material (a single preform with cavities, spikes and reinforcement flaps) comparatively with the previous embodiment, while maintaining the necessary stiffness for the good stability of the container in use.

Claims (12)

1. Preform of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or semi-rigid similar material, for the realization of a side belt (8, 8.1) of polygonal section of a container (9), of the type comprising a succession of aligned panels (2, 3, 4 , 5) joined to each other by first parallel folding lines (6) to form, after folding around said first lines, said lateral belt, characterized in that it further comprises, on a first lateral side (10) of said succession of panels:

-

cavities (11) practiced at the angles of each of said panels (2, 3, 4, 5), and

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reinforcing side flaps (12) that extend said succession of panels with cavities around second folding lines (14) perpendicular to said first lines, and which extend substantially along the length of each panel, passing over said cavities ( 11 and

on the second lateral side (15) of said succession of panels:

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lateral pins (16) protruding from the angles of said panels and located substantially in correspondence with said cavities (11), said lateral pins (16) having a complementary shape to that of said cavities (11).

2.

 Preform according to claim 1, characterized in that the height (H) of said side flaps is at least equal to the depth (P) of said cavities (11) in order to seal them by the folding of said side flaps (12) against said respective panels (2, 3, 4, 5) during the putting in form of said belt.

3.

 Preform according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said cavities (11) are identically shaped and are practiced symmetrically with respect to each other, at the angles of each panel of said corresponding side (10) of the sequence, and because said lateral pins (16) are identically and their height (H1) is substantially equal to the depth (P) of said cavities.

Four.

 Preform according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has, on the second side

(15) of said succession of panels, side flaps (24) joined to said panels by a third fold lines (25) parallel to the second and extending respectively between said corresponding projecting pins (16) resulting from said panels.

5.

 Preform according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, on the first side (10) of said succession, lateral tabs (17) are also provided that extend at least the panels (3, 5) intended to be in parallel after putting said belt in the form of said second fold lines in the direction of said corresponding side flaps (12), a cutting line (18) separating said tabs from said side flaps.

6.

 Preform according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises a transverse pin (7) for closing said succession of panels (2, 3, 4, 5), said transverse pin being connected to one (2) of the end panels of said sequence around a fold line parallel to the first fold lines of said panels.

7.

 Container side belt of polygonal section, of the type comprising a closed succession of panels (2 to 5) folded around first vertical parallel folding lines (6), characterized in that it has been obtained from said preform as defined in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6.

8.

 Container for the packaging of objects, of the type comprising a bottom and at least two side belts (8, 8.1) made of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or semi-rigid analog material and suitable for fitting one into the other as said container is filled, each lateral belt comprising a closed sequence of polygonal section based on panels (2 to 5) folded around first vertical parallel folding lines (6), characterized in that, on the upper peripheral side of each side belt, there are provided:

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cavities (11) practiced at the angles of each panel (2, 3, 4, 5) so that two consecutive panels of said sequence have contiguous cavities angled around said first corresponding folding line (6), and

-

reinforcing side flaps (12) extending said panels with cavities around second folding lines (14) perpendicular to said first lines (6) and folded against said panels (2, 3, 4, 5) on the internal perimeter of said succession of panels happening to be placed behind said cavities (11), and

on the lower peripheral side,

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lateral pins (16) protruding from the angles of each panel and located substantially in correspondence with said cavities (11), said lateral pins (16) having a complementary shape to that of said cavities (11) so that said pins of the upper belt (8) are fitted in said cavities of the lower belt (8, 8.1).

9. Container according to claim 8, characterized in that the height (H) of said reinforcing side flaps (12) is at least equal to the depth (P) of said cavities (11) so that they are obtained by said folded side flaps. A container according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that said cavities (11) are identically with a rectangular or similar profile and are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other at the angles of each panel (2 to 5) , and because said protruding pins (16) are identically, the height (H1) of said protruding pins being substantially equal to the depth (P) of said cavities. 11. Container according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it is present on the side 10 lower peripheral of said lower side belt (8.1), side flaps (24) folded perpendicularly into said belt about a third fold lines (25) parallel to said second (14) and located between said protruding pins (16) of said panels. 12. Container according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that each side belt (8, 8.1), on the upper peripheral side, has at least two large parallel panels (3, 5) on tabs 15 (17) extending the latter beyond said second folding lines (14) and separated from said folded side flaps (12) by cutting lines (18). 13. Container according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that said bottom is defined by a pallet tray (23) on which the stack of fitted side belts (8, 8.1) rests.