FR2639326A1 - METHOD FOR GROUPING ARTICLES, MEANS FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD, AND ARTICLES GROUPED ACCORDING TO THIS PROCESS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of grouping articles having at least one bearing face on a support. It is characterized in that: - at least one grouping plate of at least sufficient rigidity is provided so as not to bend under the weight of the articles; and - prior to the placement of the articles 1 on each grouping plate of the aforementioned type, it is deposited at least locally and on at least one of the faces 2, 8 opposite the article and the grouping plate , at the presumed location of each item of the batch, at least one so-called anchoring means 10 which comprises:. at least one element 11 for bonding to the surface 8 for receiving the grouping plate 6,. at least one element 12 for bonding to the bearing surface 2 of an article,. at least one breaking element 13 under a predetermined load of the anchoring member 9 and / or of the bonding by adhesion of at least one of the aforementioned elements 11, 12, then, - the articles are placed in support by their face 2 provided for this purpose, on the regrouping plate. Application to packaging equipment.

Description

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  The invention relates to a grouping method

  articles having at least one support surface on a support.

  The invention also relates to the means for carrying out this method as well as the articles grouped according to this method. The invention more particularly but not exclusively interests the grouping of boxes or pots or lots

manageable by a person.

  The invention specifically concerns the grouping of articles intended to be placed on shelves for exposure to the

sale or storage.

  In the field of packaging, it is known to group articles in batches, if only to facilitate their transport. For this purpose, it is conventional to bring together the articles juxtaposed a lot by enclosing them either in a rigid package such as a box, or in a sleeve material

  plastic shrunk hot or cold.

  In addition to their high cost and the difficulties encountered in subsequently disposing of plastic waste, the disadvantage of these modes of packaging is that, when the articles are intended to be sold individually and must therefore be shelved so to be prehensile individually, you have to extract them from their container which

  is a waste of time for operators.

  Another disadvantage of these packaging methods is that once released from their container, the items are often

  difficult to label because unstable.

  One of the results that the invention seeks to obtain is precisely a packaging method that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks. For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a method of grouping articles, characterized in that: - it is provided with at least one grouping platen of rigidity at least sufficient not to bend under the weight of the articles,

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  prior to placing the articles on each grouping plate, at least one of the faces opposite the article and the grouping plate is deposited at least locally and at the presumed location of each article of the batch, at least one so-called anchoring means which comprises: at least one bonding element by adherence to the receiving surface of the grouping plate, at least one bonding element by adherence to the bearing surface; an article, 10. at least one breaking element under a predetermined load of the anchoring member and / or the bonding connection of at least one of the aforementioned elements then, - placing the articles in support by their intended face to

  this effect, on the grouping board.

  The subject of the invention is also the means for implementing this method of grouping articles as well as

batches of articles thus grouped.

  The invention will be well understood from the description

  Hereinafter given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawing which shows schematically: - Figure 1: a top view of a grouping plate according to the invention partially equipped with articles, - Figure 2: a section according to II-II of Figure 1, - Figure 3: large scale, a detail of Figure 2 marked III, - Figure 4: a preferred embodiment of the invention. Referring to the drawing, we see articles 1 which have at least one support surface 2 on a support 3

  substantially plane as an element of a shelf 4.

  As it appears, the articles are grouped so as to constitute at least one batch 5 that can be handled in a

  given configuration and without risk of dissociation.

  As shown, the items 1 of the lot 5 considered are held together on a common tray 6 said grouping tray and this according to the desired configuration

for the lot.

  In known manner, the grouping plate 6 has: on the one hand, at least one surface 8 said receiving articles and whose extent is at least sufficient to provide a support location 7 to all items, including , in the configuration of the batch, and this by their support surface 2 for this purpose, and On the other hand, at least one means 9, such as a bearing surface of the plate on a support 4, to maintain the receiving surface 8 of the articles in a plane substantially

parallel to said support 3.

  For example, items are grouped on this board in

  a number of rows juxtaposed.

  Anyway, the items are each arranged at a given location 7 given predictable given the configuration

  the lot, the size of the articles ...

  According to the invention, the grouping plate is of at least sufficient rigidity not to bend under the weight of the articles and, instead of associating the batch of articles and the grouping plate 6 by means of a sleeve of material plastic or to engage and block each of the articles in a housing provided for this purpose in the grouping tray: - it is provided with at least a rigidity consolidation tray at least sufficient not to bend under the weight of articles, - Prior to the introduction of items 1 on each grouping tray of the aforementioned type, is deposited at least locally and on at least one of the faces 2, 8 opposite the article and the grouping tray, at the presumed location 7 of each article of the batch, at least one anchoring means 10 which comprises: at least one adhesion bonding element 11 to the receiving surface 8 of the grouping plate 6, at least one element 12 bonding by adhesion to the bearing surface 2 of an article, at least one breaking member 13 under a predetermined load of the anchoring member 9 and / or the bonding connection of at least one of the elements 11, 12 mentioned above, then - the supporting articles are placed on their side 2 provided for in

  this effect, on the grouping board.

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  In a preferred embodiment, the removal of the anchoring means 10

  occurs on the grouping platter.

  These technical features as a whole make it possible to obtain the result targeted by the invention, namely the grouping of articles in a batch without the use of a sleeve. According to the invention, the breaking element 13 is tared in such a way that, in order to induce the desired break, it is necessary to apply to each article an action whose intensity and / or direction are greater than those generated at the level of the said breaking element 13 by the mass of each article at the simple reversal of the batch carried by the

grouping tray.

  This peculiarity makes it possible to obviate the dissociation of the lot during its overthrow without hindering the possibility of

  an operator to take an article in said batch.

  According to the invention, in addition to the arrangement of each anchoring member 9 on the receiving surface 8 of the grouping plate 6 and at least at the presumed location 7 of each article of the batch to be constituted, at any time by relative to this operation, outside the locations 7, articles are created on the grouping plate, a set of abutments 14 so as to allow stacking of the grouping trays by preventing any contact between the anchoring means arranged at the level of each reception area and

  the means 9 for supporting the superimposed grouping plate.

  Advantageously, the stops 14 are for example constituted by the opposite faces of a rim which extends on the periphery of each of the grouping trays and prohibited

their total interlocking.

  This technical feature makes it possible to prepare grouping trays with anchoring means 10 and to store them before use, that is to say before placing articles therein. The means for implementing the aforementioned method mainly comprise: at least one grouping plate 6 having:

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  on the one hand, at least one surface 8 said receiving articles and whose extent is at least sufficient to provide a support location 7 to all items in the configuration of the batch and by their support surface 2 for this purpose, and secondly, at least one means 9, such as a bearing surface of the grouping plate on a support 4, in order to maintain the receiving surface 8 of the articles in a plane

  substantially parallel to said support 4.

  These means are characterized in that: the grouping plate has a rigidity which is at least sufficient not to bend under the weight of the articles and in that they comprise at least one anchoring means which comprises same: at least one element 11 bonding by adhesion to the receiving surface 8 of the grouping plate 6, at least one element 12 bonding by adhesion to the bearing surface 2 of an article, 20. at least one element 13 under a predetermined load of the anchoring member 9 and / or the connection by

  adhesion of at least one of the elements 11, 12 above.

  Also the means for the implementation of the invention include, apart from the locations 7 of the articles on the grouping plate, a set of stops 14 for stacking trays by preventing any contact between the anchoring means. disposed at each receiving surface and the support means 9 of the superimposed clustering tray. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each anchoring means 10 is formed in a substantially pitiful material superfically dry but having pressure-sensitive adhesive properties, that is to say a material which, especially in atmospheric pressure conditions of normal temperature and humidity, produces an adhesion effect between two surfaces 2, 8 between which it is interposed when these two surfaces 2, 8 are firmly close together. Advantageously, the adhesive power of the material carried by one of the facing faces is chosen in such a way that the mass of each of the articles to be anchored on the grouping plate 6 is sufficient to produce the pressure capable of causing the adhesion of the material 15 on the other side. Advantageously, in order to tare the breaking element 13, the adhesive power of the material 15 is chosen such that the rupture occurs between the bearing surface 2 of each article and the said material, so that, in particular, the articles

  can be removed without any residues of the material.

  In an alternative embodiment, to tare the breaking element 13, the adhesive power such as the anchoring element 13 of the anchorage under a given load is chosen to be determined by the adhesion between the receiving surface 8 of the grouping tray and the said material so that the trays

can be recycled.

  According to an alternative embodiment, so as to constitute the rupture element 13 of the anchor, a material is chosen whose resistance to shear and / or tensile fracture on the one hand is less than adhesion it produces both at the bearing surface of each article at the level of the receiving surface 8 of the grouping plate 6 and, secondly, is related to the load under which the rupture of the anchorage must be obtained to allow the

  release of each item 1 of the grouping tray 6.

  According to the invention, in order to calibrate the breaking element 13, the adhesion effect between the bodies that are the bearing surface of each article and the material and / or between this material and the receiving surface of the material is modulated. grouping platter, in

  adjusting the extent of the contact area between these bodies.

  For example, as shown, the material 15 is deposited on the receiving surface of the grouping trays in the form of possibly rectilinear and substantially parallel lines of spacing E and width L predetermined according to the desired adhesion effect with the

articles of the lot.

  More particularly, but not exclusively, the grouping tray 6 consists of a simple cardboard tray provided with a peripheral edge conferring on the whole the shape of a tray truncated pyramid whose edges hinder the total interlocking of said trays during their superposition. Advantageously, the material constituting each anchoring means is a synthetic glue, natural or mixed or an adhesive product put on hot or cold or requiring a

10 warming of the support.

  In any case, the material is chosen such that it physically or functionally comprises at least one bonding element 11, 12 by adhesion and at least one rupture element 13 under a predetermined load of the connection by

  adhesion elements 11, 12 above.

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Claims (10)

  1. Method of grouping in batches (5) on at least one grouping section (6) of articles (1) having at least one support face (2) on a substantially plane support (3), which batches have in particular a given configuration that is to say that each item is there at a given location (7), the grouping platen comprising: - on the one hand, at least one surface (8) said receiving articles and whose extent is at least sufficient to provide a support location (7) for all articles in the batch configuration by their support face (2) for this purpose, and - on the other hand, at least one support means (9), such as a bearing surface, on a support (3), for holding the receiving surface (8) of the articles in a plane substantially parallel to said support (3), this method being CHARACTERIZED in that: - one equips himself with at least one rigidity grouping tray at least sufficient not to bend under the weight of the articles and, - prior1en t at the place in place of the articles (1) on each grouping array of the aforementioned type is deposited at least locally and on at least one of the faces (2, 8) with respect to the article and the tray grouping, at the location (7) of each article of the batch, at least one means (10) said anchoring which comprises: at least one element (11) for bonding to the surface (8) ) for receiving the grouping plate (6), at least one element (12) for bonding to the support surface (2) of an article, to at least one breaking element (13) under a predetermined load of the anchoring member (9) and / or the adhesively bonding of at least one of. elements (11, 12) above, then - the articles are placed in support by their face (2) provided   for this purpose, on the grouping board.   2. Processed according to claim 1 characterized in that -are the element (13) of rupture in such a way that, to identify the desired break, it is necessary to apply to each article an action whose intensity and / or the direction are greater than those generated at the level of said breaking element (13) by the mass of each article in the simple   reversal of the lot carried by the grouping board.   3. Method according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that, in addition to the arrangement of each anchoring member (9) on the receiving surface (8) of the grouping plate (6) and at least at the location ( 7) presumed of each item of the batch to be constituted, at any time with respect to this operation, is created outside the locations (7) of articles on the grouping tray, a set of stops (14) to allow the stacking the grouping trays by hindering any contact between the anchoring means arranged at each receiving surface and the support means (9) of the stacking tray overlays.   4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3   characterized in that each anchoring means (10) is constituted by a substantially pasty material (15) which is superficial, but which has adhesive pressure properties, ie a material which, in particular under atmospheric pressure conditions. temperature and hygrometry, produces an adhesion effect between two surfaces (2, 8) between which it is interposed when these two surfaces (2, 8) are firmly close together.   5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4   characterized in that the adhesive power of the material carried by one of the facing faces is chosen so that the mass of each of the articles to be anchored on the grouping plate (6) is sufficient to produce the pressure suitable for provoke   the adhesion of the material (15) on the other side.   6. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 5   characterized in that, in order to tare the breaking element (13), the adhesive power of the material (15) is chosen such that the rupture occurs between the support surface (2) of each article and said material so in particular that the articles   can be removed without any residues of the material.   7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5   characterized in that, for tapping the breaking element (13), the adhesive power such that the breaking element (13) of the anchorage under a given load is selected is determined by the adhesion between the receiving surface (8) the grouping platter and the said material.   8. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 5   characterized in that, in order to constitute the rupture element (13) of the anchor, a material is chosen whose resistance to shear and / or tensile fracture on the one hand is lower than the adhesion that it produces both at the level of the support face of each article at the level of the receiving surface (8) of the grouping plate (6) and, secondly, is related to the load in which the breakage of the anchorage must be obtained to allow the   releasing each article (1) from the grouping tray (6).   9. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 5   characterized in that, in order to tare the breaking element (13), the adhesion effect between the bodies which are the support surface of each article and the material and / or between this material and the surface of the material is modulated. reception of the regrouping   adjusting the extent of the contact area between these bodies.   10. Means for implementation according to one   any of claims 1 to 9 characterized   in that the grouping plate has a rigidity at least sufficient not to bend under the weight of the articles, and in that they comprise at least one anchoring means which comprises itself: 30. at least one element (11) for adhesively bonding to the surface (8) for receiving the grouping plate (6), at least one element (12) for bonding to the bearing surface (2) an article, to at least one breaking member (13) under a predetermined load of the anchoring member (9) and / or the bonding of at least one of the elements (11, 12) mentioned above, 11i 2639326 - outside the locations (7) of the items on the grouping plate, a set of stops (14) for stacking trays by preventing any contact between the anchoring means arranged at each surface of reception and the means (9) of support of the superimposed grouping plate.