FR2640239A1 - PACKAGING FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES - Google Patents

Abstract

The packaging is intended for fragile articles 10. It is characterized in that it comprises on the one hand a rigid base 20 which is surrounded by an edge 21 of height slightly greater than the thickness of the articles 10 and of which the dimensions L1 and l1 are a little larger than the outer dimensions L2 and l2 of all the articles 10 arranged side by side on the base 20, and on the other hand a flexible and waterproof envelope 30, preferably transparent, containing the base 20 and articles 10 as well as a gas according to a volume and under a pressure such that the casing 30 can exert on the articles 10 a holding effect perpendicular to the plane of the base 20 but without pressure.

Description

2640239-

  PACKAGING FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES

  The present invention relates to a packaging which reconciles conflicting requirements relating to the nature of the articles in question and the technical constraints of their transport. It is known that the efficient transportation and storage of articles requires their containment and their maintenance.

  as intimate as possible. Even when the articles

  in bulk products, means must be used to keep them as immobile as possible in order to prevent movement with respect to the container and prevent

  thus efforts that tend to rupture the container.

  When items are fragile, the problem

  complicated and we can no longer consider their condition-

  in bulk. Generally, each article is isolated from

  others and sometimes, even, is individually conditioned.

  In some cases, the articles are no longer singly isolated.

but in groups.

  The fragile nature of the articles prohibits, in particular,

  vacuum packaging because it has a real estate effect.

  particularly energetic articles, but at the cost of pressure and friction

  deterioration or even destruction of articles.

  Containers adapted to the packaging of such fragile items are of different types. Sometimes each item is placed in a cup, for example pleated paper (chocolate bites and petit fours for example) and all -articles is then placed in a boot

  rigid. Sometimes we use a compartmentalized container

  formed by a sheet of plastic material suitably formed then the whole is placed in a rigid box. Sometimes a thick, soft leaf is placed between the articles and

  the lid of the box to elastically block

  key and cushion any shocks between them and the

lid during transport.

  Whatever the chosen solution, the container always has on the one hand a relatively thin, flexible and fragile internal setting and on the other hand an external "entourage" more rigid, more solid and likely to serve several times. This is the case, for example, containers used for. the hors d'oeuvre menus that are served with the appetizer: a light shell contains the actual items and the set is placed in a cardboard box. If all items are not consumed, the

  shell is replaced in the box until new use.

  Finally, the shell and the box are eliminated at the same time

  time when all items are consumed.

  Another known solution is also known.

  usually for smoked fish such as salmon, which consists of placing the articles (here thin slices of fish) on a relatively rigid plate, usually made of cardboard, and wrapping the whole with a sheet of paper.

synthetic material.

  However, this solution is unusable for fragile articles because it supposes that one empties

  envelope to strongly apply the pea

  its against the plate. These slices of fish, indeed, do not

  are not really fragile because they can

  It is important for the casing to apply considerable pressure because the casing applies them very strongly to the plate, the only purpose of which is to keep the slices spread flat while resisting lateral tightening of the casing. In other words, the articles are maintained only in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the plate and are immobilized parallel to this plane only by their increased natural bonding

by the pressure of the envelope.

  We note that all these known solutions do not

  deal very poorly with the problem that immediately follows

  the transport sector, which is the presentation to the

  ger who must pick up the articles.

  By habit, we are often satisfied, especially

  for the chocolate bites, to present the boot itself

  even though it is ultimately only a

  lage. To improve this presentation, the decor of the boot is sometimes treated to excess: a cardboard cover covered with leather, covered with a tapestry, equipped with relief objects, etc.

  The present invention departs from all the solutions

  known and allows to carefully pack fragile items, to preserve them from the vagaries of transport, to present them by direct observation to the customers and, finally, to present the articles to the user so as to the

once practical and elegant.

  For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a condition

  for fragile articles, characterized in that it comprises on the one hand a rigid base which is surrounded by an edge of height slightly greater than the thickness of the

  articles and whose internal dimensions are a little higher than

  the outer dimensions of all articles

  arranged side by side on the base, and on the other hand a

  flexible and waterproof loppe, advantageously transparent, containing

  the base and the articles and a gas in a volume and under a pressure such that the envelope can exert on the articles a holding effect perpendicular to the plane

from the base but without pressure.

  According to other characteristics of the invention: the internal dimensions of the base and the external dimensions of the set of articles arranged side by side are different from a value such that it can remain between three contiguous articles two spaces just enough

  to place the end of two fingers for the purpose of

  raising an article between two others; the packaging comprises means for maintaining at least some of the articles located at the periphery of the assembly at a distance from the edges of the base sufficient

  to place the end of a finger in order to preheat

  an article located on the periphery of the complex; - Articles having in a plane parallel to that of the base a polygonal contour, in particular quadrangular, and the base being substantially quadrilateral, means for

  maintain at least some of the items in the peri-

  The periphery of the assembly consists of internal fractions of the edges which are concave along a radius of curvature such that they have an arc whose point intersecting with each concave fraction is located substantially at the desired distance for said articles from the edges of the base;

  - the base consists of a tray intended for presentation

  articles as such, after withdrawal of the consignment

  Loppe; the packaging comprises a decorative sheet placed against the base and receiving the articles;

  - the gas is adapted to the nature of the articles, in particular

  in order to preserve them, and the minimum volume of gas required, at a given temperature,

  dictating the dimensions of the envelope in the three direc-

  of the space, said envelope has either a length or a width which closely surrounds the base and the articles while either the width or the length is independent of the corresponding dimension of the base and

  objects to offer gas the minimum necessary volume.

  The invention will be better understood by the description

  detailed below with reference to the accompanying drawing. Well

  understood, the description and the drawing are given only

  as an indicative and non-limiting example.

  Figure I is a schematic perspective view

  packaging in accordance with the invention as it appears

  during transport, storage and sale

in a store.

  FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of a packaging according to the invention as it appears during the presentation of articles to a user in front of

collect at the unit.

  FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the invention making it possible to maintain a correct clearance between the packaged articles and the

edge of the base.

  FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view of two packings according to the invention superimposed

according to a first variant.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of packaging according to the invention superimposed according to

a second variant.

  FIG. 6 is a partial schematic view illustrating the moderate retention of the articles by the envelope,

  even when the packaging is vertical.

  Referring to the drawing, we see that a condition

  In accordance with the invention, it is intended for the packaging and presentation of fragile articles which are shown here.

  in the form of "sofas" 10 each composed of a small

  bread and a more or less delicate filling but,

  in any case, to be protected at best.

  The sofas 10 are quadrangular and more particularly

  culinally rectangular, practically square.

  They are placed side by side, without any overlap.

  because of their upholstery, on a rigid quadrilateral

  20 is surrounded at its periphery by a continuous edge 21 whose height H measured on the inside is slightly greater

to that of sofas 10.

  The inner length L1 of the base 20 measured between two small sides 22 of the opposite edge 21 is greater than the outside length L2 of the set of sofas 10

  supposed to be joined so that a longitudinal game remains.

  The inner width I1 of the base 20 measured between two opposite large sides 23 of the edge 21 is greater

  the outer width 12 of all the sofas 10 sup-

  posed joined so that there remains a cross game.

  The existence of these games respectively longitudinal and transverse is possible with the sofas 10 because their sides located face to face are not fragile: it is about

  bread. The usefulness of these games will be explained later.

  If the items to be wrapped are also fragile by their sides, the games must be reduced as much as

do it possible.

  The entire base 20 and sofas 10 is surrounded by a flexible and tight envelope 30 made of a sheath of preferably transparent plastic whose width is coordinated with the dimensions of the base 20,

  outer width and height of the edge 21, so that it does not

  There is little transverse play between said base 20 and the sheath 30. Thus, the sheath 30 will be almost stretched to the height H and there will remain a space E1 between the top of the sofas

and sheath 30 (FIG. 3).

  Given the nature of the elements involved,

  the description just given must not be taken

  strictly because the sofas 10 may not all have exactly the same height h and, in addition, the tension of the sheath 30 remains approximate. The important factor to remember is that the sheath 30 must not exert stress on the sofas 10, including its weight that must be relieved as much as possible. For this tension, you have to hold

  account also of the concrete requirements of material

  the packing. It would be misguided, for example, to risk damaging the sofas 10 during the establishment of the

  sheath 30 on the pretext that the latter must be stretched

  above them as this could mean that the sheath has excessive narrowness. Of course, this problem is simplified if the envelope 30 is formed around the base 20 lined with the sofas 10 instead of introducing the assembly 10-20 into a pre-existing tubular sheath. The sheath 30 is closed transversely in a sealed manner, as is known per se, and therefore presents

  two welding lines 31 and 32 beyond which can be sub-

  a margin 33 before the free edge 34 resulting from a

  cut made by any known means.

  The sheath 30 contains a gas which may be air

  but which is preferably a gas promoting good preservation.

  softening, for example nitrogen, gas that is substituted for ambient air when closing the sheath

  30, as is known per se.

  The degree of conservation of food products

  depends directly on the amount of nitrogen enclosed with them.

  Here, this quantity is therefore a function of the internal capacity of the sheath 30 Gold, we have seen above that the width of the sheath 30 is not arbitrary since it must be coordinated with two dimensions of the base 20: width off all and height of the edge 21. The distance D which separates the two weld lines 31 and 32 is then calculated so that one obtains

  the capacity capable of containing the desired volume of gas.

  This volume of gas is calculated taking into account the nature of the food products involved, the temperatures

  transport and storage, as well as the duration of storage

considered reasonable.

  We see that far from emptying, we maintain at

  contrary some internal pressure to the sheath 30, pres-

  The fact that these efforts are small reduces the disadvantages that could result from the ability of the base 20 to play longitudinally in the sheath 30. But to eliminate these disadvantages, one chooses the constituent material of the base 20 (or at least the nature of its outer face) and the constituent material of the sheath 30 as well as its thickness and its elasticity so that there is the minimum freedom of sliding between the base 20 and

the envelope 30.

  The immobilization of the base 20 in the sheath 30 also depends, of course, on the value of the friction existing between the short sides 22 of the edge 21 and the sheath 30. This immobilization will be even more clear that the distance D will be more close to the overall length of the base 20 because that means that then freedom of movement

  longitudinal is weak, or even nil.

  It can be seen that according to the invention, movement in one direction of the plane (transversely, according to the example above) is prohibited and that in the other direction of the plane (longitudinally, according to the example above), means are provided for are compatible with the need to

  have a sufficient amount of gas.

  The invention makes it possible to keep the base 20 as element for presenting the articles. This is possible because the base 20 is rigid, unlike known packages comprising a thin shell, or tray, which is

  a bad substitute, often eliminated elsewhere,

  display stand. It is possible to eliminate this shell and place the items in a piece of rigid crockery because the articles, even reputed fragile, perfectly support this transfer: peanuts, olives, biscuits etc. Canapés, marrons glacés, petit fours, etc., at

  otherwise, could not be safely

is lying.

  This is why, according to a characteristic of the in-

  vention, the base 20 is constituted by a metal tray

  having not only an edge 21 but also a ledge 24 sensi-

  parallel to the central bottom of the plate itself and having a peripheral bead 25. This structure allows an easy and safe grip of the base 20, after removal of

the envelope 30.

  Thus, the sofas 10 are offered for consumption without having undergone any transfer and to increase the attractiveness of this presentation, it is possible to place a

  decorative sheet 26, for example paper cut in imitation

  lace. This sheet 26, known in itself, avoids any soil of the tray 20 and prevents the sofas 10 from sticking to the metal of the tray 20, facilitating

  so their grip with a delicate gesture.

  Since the base 20 is used as a presentation element in addition to its role of conditioning, it must be able on the one hand to properly hold the sofas 10 during transport and storage and on the other hand allow easy removal sofas 10 one by one and effortlessly. These imperatives are contradictory and we find no solution to this problem in the known elements

of the state of the art.

  According to the invention, the envelope 30 is used as a "soft" holding element for the sofas 10, so that one

  can provide a small game between the sofas 10.

  This is achieved by providing that the differences between the lengths LI and L2 on the one hand and between the widths 1 and 12 on the other hand determine a game such that it can

  subsist between three contiguous sofas 11, 12 and 13, for example

  ple, two spaces E2 and E3 (Figure 2) sufficient for a user to insert the tip of the thumb and index

  in order to easily take the center sofa 12.

  Moreover, as we know, sofas are often constituted by an assortment of different varieties

  and the first consumer may choose not to

  what sofas 10, including on one of those who

  are located on the periphery of the complex.

  It is therefore necessary to authorize this entirely free choice,

  without losing sight of the need for proper maintenance.

  According to the invention, this problem is solved by pre-

  seeing means for at least some of the articles of the periphery of the assembly being retained at a small distance from the edge 21. It may be shims, for example, at

  provided that they have no adverse effect on

packed keys.

  The solution adopted here to illustrate the invention

  consists in providing a particular geometry of the edge 21.

  Referring more particularly to Figure 2, we see that the sofas 10 being substantially square shape, the edge 21 of the base 20 is in a rectangle but has concave portions 27 which connect the

  small sides 22 with long sides 23.

  The concave portions 27 have a radius of curvature such that its rope C has an arrow F whose arc A intersects the edge 21 at a point M which is at a distance D1 from the edge 21, both with respect to the small c8tés 22 as big

  23 sides, equal to the game wanted for the sofa 14 located in the year

  If the edge 21 can be slightly inclined, the real intersection point of the arc A is exactly but not very precise with respect to the explanations above, especially if one holds the fact that the articles are more or less flexible, the sofas 10 in breadcrumbs being precisely very flexible In fact, when placing the sofas 10,

  the four corner sofas of the whole will need

  an angle in the middle M and their sides will be at the

  distance D1 calculated so that a user can insert the ex-

  fingertip between one of the two outer edges of the sofa and the nearest edge 21, thus allowing

  the user to take between the thumb and forefinger this couch

  that against its inner edges is a space E2-E3

  allowing the user to insert the end of another finger.

  It should be noted that edge 21 does not need to

  it should be straight between fractions 27 because, for aesthetic reasons, it is preferable that the small 22 and large 23 sides have a slight curve. The sofa 14 located at the corner of the assembly can all the more easily tilt to tend to occupy the position indicated in

  dotted line in Figure 3. But in this case, the decrease

  tion of the distance D1 to the long side 23a to corro-

  to increase the distance Dl to the small side 22 and, finally, it does not result in any inconvenience for the user since it is not a matter of precision mechanics but of

convenience of manipulations.

  The curved shape of the small 22 and large 23 sides of the

  edge 21 facilitates the movement of the sofas 10 when the

  veloppe 30 is removed but not before because it exerts a sufficient brake effect to avoid friction between

  it and the top of the sofa 10. After its withdrawal, the

  10 is an appreciable advantage since it makes it possible to effortlessly create an E2-E3 space between

  two sofas 10 that would be against each other.

  The choice of the decorative sheet 26 is not absolutely indifferent because for the implementation of the invention, it is good that the sofas 10 can slide easily on its surface, as soon as the maintenance stops d

  the envelope 30 which at this time is removed.

  The envelope 30 containing a gas under slight pressure

  it is possible to superpose packages of equal dimensions (for example for transport, storage or for sale) without causing crushing sofas 10, but it is obviously safer

  exploit the difference between the height of

  10 and the height of the edge 21 to ensure that the superposed packages are based on the rim 24 rather

  only on the center of the set, directly above the sofas 10.

  There are several ways within the reach of the skilled person to solve this problem and two will be described

  very simple compared to Figures 4 and 5.

  FIG. 4 shows a variant according to which the trays 20 have dimensions such that their bottom rests on the rim 24 of the immediately lower packaging, in such a way that the bottom of the upper package can not touch the top of the sofas 10 situated

in the lower package.

  This structure assumes that the perimeter of the bottom is wider than that of the edge 24 or at least

different form.

  This may have some disadvantages for the production of the trays 20 and we can then adopt the variant of Figure 5 according to which the packaging

  are all identical, including trays 20.

  After sealing the envelopes 30, the conditions

  generally rectangular shapes are superimposed on

  across each other so that all the conditions

  depending on the length of the bottom of the trays

  across the width of the bottom of the immediately lower plateau.

  The complete stack can be enclosed in a box or box 40 which has only been shown in section dashed. Experience shows that one can adopt for

  the envelope. 30 a plastic material that acquires transver-

  badly enough rigidity, especially thanks to the lines

  31 and 32 harder, so that every single

  be locked in position by the vertical faces

the crates or box 40.

  However, for greater safety, very cheap holds can be placed in the spaces 41 that remain

  four corners of the box or box 40.

  Referring now to Figure 6, we see

  that thanks to the invention one can reach both a

  packed articles and to such freedom

  are subject to no permanent pressure because of the enve-

Loppe.

  We know that articles, such as

  for sofas 10, intended for sale in supermarkets, are often handled not only by the professional staff but also by the customers of the stores, if only to allow them to place the chosen object in their cart, then on the treadmill of the checkout counter, then in a container to their home. As a packaging according to the invention is

  substantially flat, it is tempting to

  calmly in a basket or in a carton. This arrangement is undesirable here, despite the precautions taken, but it remains tolerable because the envelope voltage and the value of the space El are chosen so that in the vertical position of the assembly (FIG. sofas 10 incline towards the envelope 30 while remaining some on

others.

  It would be indeed disastrous, especially for sofas 10, that they could overlap because not only could their appearance be deteriorated but it could be

  produce mixtures of intolerable tastes.

  It follows from the description above that the

  structure of a packaging according to the invention is a clever compromise between the needs of a quantity of gas

  and a small envelope volume for the confines

  packaged articles and hence their correct

  We can increase the performance of the pack-

  products such as food products

  the moisture content of these so that they can be stored well despite a reduced amount of

minimum possible.

* R S S ITS I AT IONS

  1- Packaging for fragile articles (10) characterized in that it comprises on the one hand a rigid base (20) which is surrounded by an edge (21) of height H slightly greater than the thickness h of the articles ( 10) and whose inner dimensions (L1 and 11) are slightly greater than the outer dimensions (L2 and 12) of all the articles (10) arranged side by side on the base (20), and

  on the other hand a flexible and watertight envelope (30), which

  transparent, containing the base (20) and the articles (10) and a gas in a volume and under a pressure such that the envelope (30) can exert on the articles (10) a holding effect perpendicular to the

  plan of the base (20) but without pressure.

  2- Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in cece the inner dimensions (L1 and 11) of the base (20) and the outer dimensions (L2 and 12) of

  all articles (10) placed side by side are dif-

  of such value that three spaces (E2 and E3) contiguous between three contiguous articles (11, 12 and 13) can be left just enough to place the end of two fingers in order to grip an article ( 12) located between

two others (11 and 13).

  3- Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for maintaining at least some of the articles (10) located at the periphery of the assembly at a distance (D1) from the edges (21) of the base (20). ) sufficient to place the end of a finger for the gripping of an article (10) located at the periphery of the assembly. 4Conditioning according to claim 3, characterized in that the articles (10) having in a plane parallel to that of the base (20) a polygonal contour,

  quadrangular, and the base (20) being substantially

  the means for maintaining at least some of the articles (10) situated at the periphery of the assembly are constituted by internal fractions (27) of the edges (21) which are concave along a radius of curvature such that they present a arc whose secant point (M) with each concave fraction (37) is located substantially at the desired distance (D1) for said articles (10) relative to

at the edges (21) of the base (20).

  Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (20) is constituted by a tray intended for the presentation of articles (I0) such

  which, after removal of the envelope (30).

  6. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a decorative sheet (26)

  placed against the base (20) and receiving the articles (10).

  7. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas is of a nature adapted to that of the articles (10), especially for a good preservation thereof, and the minimum volume of gas required, at a given temperature, dictating the dimensions of the envelope (30) in the three directions of space, said envelope (30) has either a length or a width which closely surrounds the base (20) and the articles (10) while either the width or the length is independent of the corresponding dimension of the base (30) and the articles (10) for

  to offer gas the minimum necessary volume.