ES2390559T3 - Impact packing in particular for beverage dispensers - Google Patents

Abstract

A package (10) that contains and protects an article (1), in particular an electric appliance such as a machine for the preparation of beverages, comprising: a closable outer box (20, 30) having a plurality of panels (25 , 26, 27, 28, 30); and at least two elongate deformable inner dividers generally facing (40) to hold said article (1) inside the box (20, 30), each separator (40) comprising: - Peripheral sections (41) that are fixed to different panels ( 25, 26, 27) of the box (20, 30); and - An intermediate section (42) that extends between the peripheral sections (41) and which is separated from all the panels (25, 26, 27, 28, 30) of the box (20, 30), The intermediate sections ( 42) of the separators (40) that face each other in the box (10) when the box is closed so that said article (1) is fixed between the intermediate sections (42) by forcing them to separate, whereby intermediate sections (42) are deformed in length between their respective peripheral sections (41), the intermediate sections (42) separated by said fixed article (1) remaining completely separated from all panels (25, 26, 27, 28, 30) of the outer box (20, 30), the box comprising: - two housings (20) with generally facing flanges when the box is closed; and - a base panel (30), the housings (20) being articulated on opposite sides of the base panel (30). characterized in that the base panel (30) has a cavity (31) that houses said article, so that the article rests on the base (30) in its cavity (31).

Description

Impact packing in particular for beverage dispensers

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a package for an article, such as an electric appliance, in particular a beverage dispenser. The packaging is arranged to protect the article from impacts.

Background

There are various packaging systems to protect items, such as electrical appliances. Typically, such packaging systems include cardboard and / or plastic materials to protect the items from mechanical impacts. FR 2 774 973A describes a package according to the preamble of claim 1.

For example, EP 1586 509 describes a packaging system that presents a cardboard tray for containing an article that is covered with a thermoplastic film that is welded onto the tray. The film is stretched and deformed on the top of the article that extends above the edge of the tray so that it fixes the article against the base of the tray. Said packing system can provide some protection against the outside environment. However, it is not adequate to provide effective protection against impacts. JP11236036 describes a similar packaging device.

Patent DE 20 2006 015 075 describes the adjustment of a large article, such as a television set, between inflatable cushions having a flat surface that are oriented to each other. A simpler system that does not require the maintenance of cushions in a swollen state, which, however, is less effective in protecting items from mechanical impacts, is described in US Patent 6,997,323. This last patent describes a packaging system made of an outer box containing tubular grafts that absorb impacts. The grafts are corrugated and articulated to a main cardboard panel. Although such grafts that separate the articles from the outer box diminish the impacts inflicted on the box, they still transmit directly, perpendicular to the surface of the packaging, such buffered bumps to the packaged items. A variation of said system is described in US 6,904,734 which describes a packaging box having a plurality of damping bands made of compressible resilient foam bonded and extended along inner panels of the box to secure the items in the box. box.

It is well known to use foams, such as packaging elements made of expanded polystyrene, to absorb impacts, usually inside an outer cardboard box or plastic cover. Packing structures made of expanded polystyrene for electrical appliances are described, for example, in greater detail in EP 1612159. However, with the trend towards environmentally responsible technology, the use of expanded polystyrene, which is not easily Recyclable due to its light weight and low value of the remains and that it takes a long time to decompose, it turns out to be a problem. In addition, legislative laws have been passed or adopted to prohibit the use of polystyrene for certain packaging applications in various locations, particularly in the United States.

Therefore, there is still a need to provide a simple and economical packaging system with capacities for absorbing improved impacts and favoring the environment.

Description of the invention

It is therefore an object of the invention to mitigate the disadvantages of the prior art.

Thus, the invention relates to a package according to claim 1.

According to the invention, each separator comprises: peripheral sections that are fixed in different panels of the box; and an intermediate section that extends between the peripheral sections and that is separated from all the panels of the outer box. The intermediate sections of the separators are facing each other in the box when it is closed so that the article is fixed between the intermediate sections when forced, so that the intermediate sections are deformed in elongation between their respective peripheral sections, the forced intermediate sections by keeping the fixed article completely separated from all the panels of the outer box.

Therefore, the intermediate sections of the separators that are extended around at least part of the packaged article, keep the article away from the panels of the box, at least in the region of the intermediate separation sections. In addition, unlike the prior art separators for example the padded packaging bands described in the aforementioned patent US 6,904,734, the stretched intermediate separator parts of the present invention are not bound between the packaged article and the box but stretched over the article packaged between panels of the box leaving a space between the article and the box in such a way that a mechanical impact applied in the box to the separator will merely affect the lengthening of the separator tangentially along the surface of the article but will not significantly communicate the impact through this to the article in the direction of impact. It follows that the transmission of the impact from the outer box through the separator stretched towards the article will be substantially attenuated or even not transmitted to the article.

The box comprises two articulated housings, with generally facing flanges, usually generally arranged as carcasses of a suitcase. The peripheral sections of the separators can be fixed on the flanges of the housing, a separator extending through each flange.

In such a configuration, the packaging can be opened as a vertical or lying suitcase, so that the opening and separate housings that follow their respective housing will discover the packaged item in the same movement. This constitutes an integrated, ergonomic and very simple packaging system.

The box can also comprise a base panel, the housings being articulated on opposite sides of the base panel. The article is placed directly on the base panel or away from it by an extended separate. The base panel has a cavity to house the article.

The upper part of each housing may have a handle, the handles usually being side and side when the edges of the housing are facing each other, in the closed position. The handles can be juxtaposed or separated with a space. The handles with the space that separates them can serve to position an additional element, such as an accessory box for the item that is packaged.

Preferably, the dividers are made of memory material so that the article can be wrapped tightly. The separators can be made of plastic material, in particular thermoplastic material. For example, the separator is made of polyurethane. For example, the separator is made of flexible material that has a large memory so that the material can return to its original shape without losing stiffness even after significant stretching. Such materials can for example be obtained from Emba-Protec GmbH.

The separators can be in the form of sheets or films, bands or tapes. Advantageously, the separators are sheets or films arranged to mainly or completely wrap the wrapped article. Such sheets or films in addition to preventing the transmission of impacts to the articles can also serve to protect the articles from the outside environment, for example from moisture.

The separators can be welded and / or glued together along their peripheral sections.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described with reference to the schematic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an article in a package according to the invention that is open;

Figure 2 shows the packaging of Figure 1 in a closed state and containing a paper or soft bag; Y

Figures 3 and 4 are schematic views of the spacers stretched around an article inside the package.

Detailed description

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article 1, usually a machine for the preparation of beverages, for example a coffee or tea dispenser of the type that uses tea or ground coffee in an open package 10. The package 10 has a box exterior formed by two housings 20 articulated on opposite sides of a base panel 30. In addition, the base panel 30 has a cavity 31 to position the article 1 inside.

An elongated separator film 40, shown with shading, extends over and through each housing 20. Each housing 20 has a flange 21 on which peripheral sections 41 of the separator film 40 are fixed, for example by gluing or welding, so that the separator film 40 extends between upper and rear, front panels facing 25, 26 and 27 of the housing 20 on the main side panel of the housing 28. An intermediate central section 42 of the separator 42 extends between the peripheral sections 41. This central section 42 is separated from all panels 25, 26, 27 and 28.

These panels 25, 26, 27, 28 are arranged to form a cavity to house the article 1 when the articulated housings 20 move in an upright position to close the packing 20 around the article 1. When the housings are pressed together in their position vertical to completely enclose article 1, the separator films 40 are taken to a vertical position where they are facing each other and separated by the presence of article 1 between them. In said configuration, the separating films 40 deform and stretch strongly around the article 1 to fix it.

Figure 2, in which the same numerical references indicate the same elements, is a front view of the package 10 with its vertical housings 20 in a closed configuration. Any suitable coupling means known in the art is suitable for holding together the housings 20 tight. For example, the peripheral sections 41 of the separator films 40, which are attached to the flanges 21 of the housings 20, can be closed together.

As shown in Figure 2, the packaging 10 can be carried in a bag 50 with handles 51, for example a paper or soft bag, together with the advertising or instruction leaflets 52. In addition, the packaging 10 is suitable with handles 29 which are separated on the upper panels 27 of the housings 20 to hold between the handles 29 a box 53 of accessories for article 1, for example, a box with coffee capsules when article 1 is a coffee machine using said capsules

In an alternative embodiment, the handles 29 are juxtaposed and can be used to carry the packaging 20, for example, when the packaging 10 is not intended to be carried inside a bag.

Figures 3 and 4, in which the same numerical references indicate the same elements, show in greater detail the separating films 40 around the article 1 in the packaging 10 when the packaging is in its closed configuration. In particular, Figure 3 schematically represents a front view of the cavity formed between the housings 20 behind the front panels 25. Figure 4 schematically shows a top view of this cavity below the upper panels 27.

Article 1 rests on base 1 in its cavity 31. The separator films 40 extend on each side of article 1 in base 30 above the entire upper part. As can be seen, especially in Figure 4, the intermediate sections 42 of the separator films 40 are separated and deformed in length between the corresponding peripheral sections 41 by the presence of article 1 between them.

The separator films 40 secure article 1 between the facing carcasses 20 at a distance from all panels 25, 26, 27, 28 of the carcasses 20. It follows that article 1 separates from the carcasses 20 by a distance 45 above of the base panel 30.

As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the space 45 between the housings 20 and the article 1 is practically empty and contains a compressible or compressed component without being rigidly likely to directly and clearly convey an impact inflicted on the housings 20 to the article. 1. A blow inflicted on any of the panels 25, 26, 27, 28 of the housing 20 would slightly release or stretch the separating films 40 around article 1 and would essentially be absorbed in the housings 20 and in the deformation of the separating films 40 along an address that does not visibly carry through the article that the package 10 is intended to protect.

While the packaging 10 shown in Figures 1 to 4 has a base panel 30 with a cavity 31 in which article 1 is positioned, the upper part of article 1 which is separated from the housing panels 25, 26, 27 , 28 by separating films 40, it is possible to completely cover an article, even at its base, in separating films to separate the article from all the surfaces of the box.

In this additional variant, the article can be supported by a generally horizontal separator element and fixed between two generally vertical facing separators that extend through the box and that are forced open by the article, as mentioned above. The generally horizontal separator can be fixed to the generally vertical separators or to the opposite panels of the box. In said configuration, the article is separated from all the panels of the box that can still be formed by the two housings, with the base panel being configured to open in an erect or lying position.

Claims (15)

1. A package (10) containing and protecting an article (1), in particular an electric appliance such as a machine for the preparation of beverages, comprising: a closable outer box (20, 30) having a plurality of panels (25, 26, 27, 28, 30); and at least two elongated deformable inner spacers generally facing (40) to hold said article (1) inside the box (20, 30), each separator comprising (40):

-

Peripheral sections (41) that are fixed to different panels (25, 26, 27) of the box (20, 30); Y

-

An intermediate section (42) that extends between the peripheral sections (41) and which is separated from

all panels (25, 26, 27, 28, 30) of the box (20, 30), The intermediate sections (42) of the separators (40) that face each other in the box (10) when the box is closed so that said article (1) is fixed between the intermediate sections (42) by forcing them to separate, whereby the intermediate sections (42) deform in length between their respective peripheral sections (41), the intermediate sections (42) separated by said fixed article (1) remaining completely separated from all the panels (25, 26, 27, 28, 30) of the outer box (20, 30), the box comprising:

-

two housings (20) with generally facing flanges when the box is closed; Y

-

a base panel (30), the housings (20) being articulated on opposite sides of the base panel (30). characterized in that the base panel (30) has a cavity (31) that houses said article, so that the article rests on the base (30) in its cavity (31).

2.

 The packaging of claim 1, wherein the peripheral sections of the separators (40) are fixed on the flanges of the housing, a separator (40) extending over each flange.

3.

 The packaging of claim 1 or 2, wherein an upper part of each housing (20) has a handle (29), the handle (29) being side by side in said closed configuration.

Four.

 The packaging of any preceding claim, wherein the spacers (40) are made of plastic material.

5.

 The packaging of claim 4, wherein said plastic material is thermoplastic material.

6.

 The packaging of any preceding claim, wherein the spacers (40) comprise sheets and / or films.

7.

 The packaging of claim 6, wherein the spacers (40) are jointly welded along their peripheral sections such that it completely or predominantly encloses said article in said closed configuration.

8.

 The packaging of claim 6 or 7, wherein the spacers (40) are glued together along their peripheral sections so that they completely or predominantly enclose said article in said closed configuration.

9.

 The packaging of any preceding claim, wherein the box (20, 30) is arranged to completely enclose said article in said closed configuration.

10.

 A combination of a package as defined in any preceding claim in which the article is an electric appliance.

eleven.

 The combination of claim 10, wherein the electric appliance is a machine for the preparation of beverages.

12.

 The combination of claim 11, wherein the beverage preparation machine is a coffee dispenser.

13.

 The combination of claim 12, wherein the coffee dispenser is of the type that uses ground coffee in proportions.

14.

 The combination of claim 11, wherein the beverage machine is a tea dispenser.

fifteen.

 The combination of claim 12, wherein the tea dispenser is of the type that uses portioned tea.