FR2704835A1 - Blank and palletizable structure for holding and gripping for sheets of containers as well as a method and device for packaging with such a blank. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a blank or blank in a sheet of cardboard or corrugated cardboard for producing a packaging of superimposed layers of containers, such a packaging as well as a method and a device for packaging with such a blank. The blank has a series of five flaps (2, 3, 4, 5, 6), namely three substantially rectangular flaps linked together by T-shaped flaps. Each T-shaped flap is provided with a main flap to form the cover of the structure and of an end part (19, 20) for joining with the main flap of the other side facing face when the structure is formed around the plies.

Description

BLANK AND PALLETIZABLE STRUCTURE FOR HOLDING AND
GRIPPING FOR CONTAINER BABIES AS WELL AS
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PACKAGING SUCH A SUCH
FLAN.

 The present invention relates to a blank or cut from a sheet of cardboard or corrugated cardboard for the production of a structure for holding and gripping at least two superposed layers of containers respectively connected to each other in the upper part of each of said layers and such a holding and gripping structure.

It also relates to a method and a device for packaging with such a blank.

 It finds a particularly important although not exclusive application in the field of packaging two layers of yoghurt pots or food products of the same type, said yoghurt pots being interconnected via their upper flanges made of rigid plastic to form groups or packs of four or six pots.

 Structures for holding and gripping layers of yoghurt pots or the like are already known.

 For example, a known structure is constituted by a blank or cut in the form of a strip of cardboard material which envelops the pots with a fold at each change of direction around the edges of the sheets of pots.

 Such structures have drawbacks.

 Indeed, they do not allow easy gripping or solid maintenance of superimposed layers comprising a large number of yoghurt pots (for example two layers of twelve pots each).

 In addition, the production of each blank requires for such a structure a significant consumption of material, generally corrugated cardboard or a similar sheet material.

 The present invention aims to provide a blank and a packaging or structure for holding and gripping at least two superimposed layers of containers such as yogurt pots, as well as a method and a device for packaging these layers, corresponding better than those previously known to the requirements of practice in particular in that it allows a solid hold and easy gripping of two or more layers of stacked containers, each layer being able to comprise a large number of containers, for consumption of material minimized packaging and therefore optimized cost.

 The presentation of the packaging is pleasant and allows the marking on the side surfaces of the latter.

 Packages according to the invention are also easily and directly palletizable, that is to say capable of being stacked and stored on a pallet, in a particularly stable manner in manual or automatic.

 Mechanization of the packaging manufacturing is also made possible, which presents significant savings in time and costs.

To this end, the present invention proposes in particular a blank in a sheet of cardboard or corrugated cardboard for the production of a structure for holding and gripping at least two superimposed layers of containers connected to each other in the upper part of each of said sheets, characterized in that the blank comprises a series of five flaps connected to each other by first fold lines parallel to each other, namely three substantially rectangular flaps including two end flaps and a central flap, said flaps substantially rectangular being separated from each other by two identical T-shaped flaps each comprising a central leg connected respectively by said first fold lines to an adjacent substantially rectangular flap, said leg being of lateral dimension corresponding to an integer number of containers, and a upper bar extending over a lateral dimension corresponding to the length of a ply, above the upper edge of said substantially rectangular flaps, symmetrically on either side of said leg, each T-shaped flap being provided with a main flap connected to the upper edge of the bar of said
T by a second fold line perpendicular to the first fold lines and suitable for covering a complementary part, with respect to that of the other main flap, of the covers of the receptacles of the upper ply, to form the cover of the structure when said flap is folded down by folding along said second fold line on the covers of the upper ply of containers, each main flap being provided with an end portion of junction with the main flap of the other lateral face opposite, when the structure is formed around the sheets.

 Advantageously, said terminal junction part is formed by a secondary flap connected to said main flap by a third fold line parallel to the second fold line, situated on the side opposite to said second fold line, said secondary flap being for example of substantially shaped elongated trapezoid, the end flaps have at least one elongated notch, or an elongated notch portion of width greater than that of a half notch, on their lower end edge, and the central flap has at least one notch elongated, the width and length of said notches being slightly greater than the width and height of the cross section of two adjoining secondary flaps, said notch portions or notches being elongated parallel to the third fold lines and located at a distance from said third fold lines of the flap corresponding to a whole number of containers.

 In advantageous embodiments, recourse is also had to one and / or the other of the following arrangements - a sheet being formed of groups of containers connected to one another via their upper flanges, having a central recess at the junction between four containers, each substantially rectangular flap has on its upper edge at least one tab extending upwards over a determined height, in line with said elongated notches and of shape arranged to fit into a recess when the structure is formed around said plies - each end flap has a tab on its upper edge and a notch on its lower edge, the central flap having two tabs on its upper edge and two notches on its lower edge.

In this case the transverse dimensions of the main flaps are different, one being substantially equal to twice the other; - Each secondary flap has a cut, for example centered longitudinally, having a connecting edge of the cut with the third fold line and a free edge in the form of a flattened circle, to form a central recess of elongated shape when the cut is pressed .

 The invention also provides a method of packaging at least two superimposed parallelepipedic plies each composed of two groups of identical containers arranged in parallel rows and connected in groups to each other in the upper part of each of said plies, from a blank as described above, characterized in that an intermediate structure is formed consisting of the blank wound on itself around a mandrel, the two end flaps are fixed one on the other to form transverse walls spacing the T-shaped flaps, the main flaps of said T-shaped flaps are moved aside towards the outside, the two groups of containers of the tablecloth are introduced from above said intermediate structure stiffened by the transverse walls lower by embedding respectively two adjacent rows of said groups on said walls, place above and to the right portions of the sheet in lower, the portions of the upper layer (s), the main flaps of the two T-shaped flaps face to face are folded over the lids of the containers of the upper layer, which are fixed one against the other to forming a flat projecting portion perpendicular to the plane of the covers of said upper ply.

 Such a packaging process is easily mechanized.

 Advantageously, the receptacles of the same group being connected to each other via their upper flanges by presenting a central recess at the junction between four receptacles and the transverse walls having lugs, the lugs of the substantially rectangular flaps are inserted into the corresponding recesses, simultaneously with the introduction of groups of containers from the lower layer.

 Such tabs will allow in particular better positioning of the upper ply.

 Advantageously, a cut having been made in the second flaps which come to face one another, a tool is introduced in said cutouts, for adjusting the two second flaps exactly opposite one another before or during the fixing, which is done for example by gluing.

 The invention also provides a packaging device implementing the steps indicated above. More precisely, the invention proposes a device for packaging at least two superimposed parallelepipedic layers each consisting of two groups of identical containers arranged in parallel rows and connected in groups to each other in the upper part of each of said layers, starting from 'a blank as described above, characterized in that it comprises - means for bringing the blanks flat, one by one, under a horizontal mandrel of rectangular section at a distance d from the underside of said mandrel, - said mandrel of rectangular section of width equal to the width of said central flap, - means for gluing an end flap and a secondary flap of said blanks, - means for applying the central flap to the underside of the mandrel and of winding the series of flaps around the mandrel for bonding the end flaps to one another, - means for introducing the lower part of the structure i ntermediate thus formed, constituted by the flaps connected to each other, on a horizontal shoe tree disposed in the axis of the mandrel, mounted on a chain in noria with successive movement, - said chain comprising several successive shoe trees, said chain being for example provided of a lower face for feeding the shoe trees, of a vertical lateral face presenting the shoe trees in the extension of the horizontal mandrel, and of an upper face of preparation and presentation of the intermediate structures for filling and evacuation of the packages, means for pre-pressing the main flaps and the flat protruding parts of the flaps, - means for filling said intermediate structures and, - means for applying the flat protruding parts of said intermediate structures one against the other for fixing the second shutters one on top of the other and closing of the packaging.

 Advantageously, the device further comprises means for adjusting the two second flaps of the same intermediate structure one opposite the other before bonding of said second flaps against one another.

 In an advantageous embodiment, the device also comprises means for automatically gripping the projecting flat parts of the packages formed for their direct placing on a pallet.

 The invention also provides a package, or a holding and gripping structure formed from a blank as defined above.

 Also and more precisely, the invention provides a structure for holding and gripping at least two parallelepipedic layers superimposed on identical containers arranged in parallel rows and connected in groups to each other in the upper part of each of said layers, said structure being made of a sheet of cardboard or corrugated cardboard and comprising two identical parallel lateral faces, suitable for framing two opposite lateral sides of said plies, and an upper face suitable for covering the lids of the receptacles of the upper ply, characterized in that the upper face comprises a flat projecting part directed towards the outside of the structure, parallel to the plane of the lateral faces and situated at a distance from the upper edges of said lateral faces so as to be in line with a junction between two rows of containers d '' a single ply, each of said lateral faces pr has a shape of T of height substantially equal to the height of said plies, comprising an upper bar of length substantially equal to the length of the upper ply and a central leg extending downward, of width corresponding to an integer number of containers , the lateral edges of the legs of the two opposite lateral faces being interconnected by two transverse walls perpendicular to the planes of said central legs, said transverse walls being arranged to fit between two parallel rows of the lower ply of containers and comprising on their lower edge directed towards the outside of the structure, at least one elongated notch capable of receiving a projecting flat part of section identical to that of the flat projecting part of the upper face of said structure, said notch being located at distance from the lower edges of the legs of the side walls so as to appear r at the junction between two rows of containers of the same tablecloth.

 Advantageously, to form the upper face and the projecting flat part, each of the upper bars of the T of the two side walls is provided with a main flap connected to the upper edge of said upper bar by a fold line, called the second fold line. , each main flap being folded around the outer upper edge of the corresponding side of the ply in a plane perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the bar, each main flap being able to cover a complementary part, relative to that of the other flap main, the covers of the containers of the upper ply and being terminated on the side opposite to said second fold line by a secondary flap connected to said main flap by a third fold line parallel to the second fold line and folded outwards from the structure perpendicular to the plane of said main flap to form, with the seco flap ndaire of the main flap of the opposite side to which it is fixed, said flat portion projecting perpendicular to said plane.

 In an advantageous embodiment, the two parallel transverse walls are connected to the lateral edges opposite the legs of the two lateral faces by first fold lines and are respectively formed on the one hand by a first plate connected to two lateral edges opposite the legs of the lateral faces and on the other hand by two half-plates, for example of symmetrical shapes with respect to a straight line parallel to the first fold lines, the ends of which are glued to one another.

 Advantageously, the holding structure comprises holding means capable of preventing the transverse movement of the upper ply (s) in the direction parallel to the lateral faces.

 In an advantageous embodiment, the containers of the same group of plies being interconnected via their upper flanges by presenting a central recess at the junction between four containers, each plate has on its upper edge at least one tab extending upwards over a determined height and arranged to be inserted into a recess when the structure is formed around said plies.

 The above holding means may for example be legs of sufficient height to be inserted between the lower parts of the containers of the upper ply.

 Advantageously, the projecting flat part comprises a centering recess, for example central and of elongated shape.

 The present invention will be better understood on reading the embodiments of the invention given by way of nonlimiting example. It refers to the accompanying figures in which - Figure 1 is a flat view of a blank according to an embodiment of the invention, for sixteen pots of yogurt.

- Figure 2 is a perspective view, from above, of the packaging obtained from the blank of Figure 1.

- Figure 3 is a flat view of two blanks upside down, according to another embodiment of the invention, for twenty-four pots of yogurt on two layers.

- Figure 4 is a perspective view, from above, of the packaging obtained from the blank of Figure 3 during assembly.

- Figure 5 is a perspective view of the packaging of Figure 4 once made.

- Figure 6 is a schematic side view of a packaging stack according to the invention.

- Figure 7 is a flat view of a blank according to another embodiment of the invention for twenty-four yogurt pots arranged on three layers.

- Figures 8 and 9 are schematic views, respectively from the side and from above, of an embodiment of the device according to the invention.

- Figures 10, 11 and 12 show schematically on the one hand (see Figures 10 and 11) the formation of the belt by folding the flaps around the mandrel and on the other hand (Figure 12) the establishment of groups of pots yogurt.

 FIG. 1 shows a blank 1 of a sheet of corrugated cardboard, for example of the single-sided type, with a thickness of between about 1 mm and about 4 mm and made from recycled paper.

 The blank comprises a series of five sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 connected to each other by first fold lines 7, 8, 9 and 10 parallel to each other.

 More precisely, these five flaps consist of three substantially rectangular flaps 2, 4 and 6 including two end flaps 2 and 6 of symmetrical shapes with respect to a straight line parallel to the first fold lines and a central flap 4.

 The substantially rectangular flaps are separated in pairs by, two identical T-shaped flaps 3 and 5 comprising a central leg, respectively 11 and 12, said central leg being connected to the substantially rectangular flaps by the first fold lines 7, 8 and 9, 10, for example over the entire lateral edge of said substantially rectangular flaps.

 Each leg 11 and 12 is of lateral dimension (width) corresponding to an entire number of containers intended to be packed in the holding and gripping structure which will be formed from the blank 1.

 By lateral dimension corresponding to an integer number of receptacles, is meant a dimension in width corresponding to the dimension of the vertical projection on a plane, vertical lateral sides of one or more receptacles placed side by side and belonging to the same tablecloth .

 In general this dimension will correspond to the width of two containers.

 The two T-shaped flaps 3 and 5 each include an upper bar 13, 14 extending over a dimension corresponding to the length of a sheet of containers above the upper edges 7a, 4a and 6a of the flaps 2, 4 and 6, symmetrically and on either side of said leg to which they are directly attached.

 The T-shaped flaps 3 and 5 each include a main rectangular flap 15, 16, connected to the upper edge of the T by a second fold line 17, 18, perpendicular to the first lines of lines 7, 8, 9 and 10.

 Each main flap is suitable for covering a part complementary to that of the other main flap, with the covers of the containers of the upper ply, to form the cover of the structure formed from the blank 1 when the flaps 15 and 16 are folded down by folding along the second fold lines 17 and 18 on the covers of the upper sheet of containers.

 Thus the widths or transverse dimensions 11 and 12 of the flaps 15 and 16 are such that lî + 12 is substantially equal to the width of the upper ply, and their lengths is for example equal to that of the length of the upper ply.

 The main flaps 15 and 16 are additionally respectively provided with joining parts 19 and 20 which may, for example, be situated in the extension of the planes of the main flaps 15 and 16, on the other side, with respect to said main flap, second fold lines capable of being superimposed on each other, to be fixed to one another for example by gluing, and thus give a substantially flat surface of the packaging top during the formation of packaging.

 In the preferred embodiments of the invention, more particularly described here, the main flaps are each provided with a secondary flap 21, 22 connected to the main flap by third fold lines 23, 24 parallel to the second fold lines 17 and 18 and located on the side opposite the second fold line with respect to the corresponding main flap.

 The secondary flaps 21 and 22 are identical and for example of substantially elongated trapezoidal shape. They are attached to the corresponding main flap over their entire length and advantageously over the entire length of the main flap.

 More precisely, these secondary flaps are, for example, of height 13 comprised between around 4 cm and around 10 cm; they include a large base equal to the transverse length L of the main flaps and which coincides with the third fold lines, and a small base 21a and 22a, parallel to the large base, centered longitudinally and of length equal to the width 14 of the leg of said T-shaped flaps

 The second flap also comprises on each side of this small base, separated from said small base by notches 21a 'on the one hand and 22a' on the other hand, two oblique faces 21a ", respectively 22a", directed outwards and towards the third fold line 23 or 24, and which ends in vertical parts 21a '' ', respectively 22a "', located in the extension of the lateral sides of flap 15c, 15d and 16c and 16d.

 The notches 21a 'and 22a' can also be simple recesses.

 The edges 15d and 16c of the main flaps are in line with the lateral edges of the corresponding T-shaped flaps, the opposite edges 15d and 16c being distant from each other, for example by a distance of a few millimeters.

 Similarly, the lower edges of the bars of T 13b and 14b are spaced from the upper edges 7a, 4a and 6a of the substantially rectangular flaps 2, 4 and 6, for example by 1 cm.

 In the embodiment more particularly described here, each secondary flap further comprises a cutout, respectively 26 and 27, the lower edge of which coincides with the third fold lines 23 and 24, and the upper edge of which is cut out in the form of a flattened round of small dimension, for example of 2 cm in height.

 The lower edges 2b and 6b of the end flaps 2 and 6 furthermore each comprise a half-notch open outwards downwards and laterally, of width 15 greater than the thickness of two adjoining secondary flaps and of height substantially equal to the height 13 of the secondary flaps, minus the depth of the notches (or the height of the recesses 21'a, respectively 22'a).

 The notches 29, 30, when they are in superimposed parts, are in fact capable of cooperating with the small notches 21'a and 22'a of the flaps corresponding to another identical blank.

 The central flap 4 has a notch 31, of width 16 greater than the thickness of two adjoining secondary flaps, that is to say fixed for example by gluing one against the other, face against face and of equal height at the height of the notches 29 and 30.

 The end flaps 2, 6 and the central flap 4 also comprise, and respectively on their upper edges 2a, 6a and 4a, lugs 31, 32 and 33, for example of height equal to around 3 cm, and located at the right of the notches 29, 30 and 31. These tabs have for example a substantially rounded shape, constituted by a rectangle ending in a semicircle.

 The presence of these tabs implies, at the level of the cutting of the bars 13 and 14 of the T-shaped shutters, the presence of rounded corners 13 ', 14' as shown in FIG. 1.

 FIG. 2 shows a holding and gripping structure 35 obtained with the blank of FIG. 1, designed for sixteen pots 36. These sixteen pots 36 constitute two sheets 37 and 38 parallel, parallelepipedic, superimposed, the receptacles being arranged in parallel rows 39 and connected in groups of four to each other, in the upper part 40 of each of said groups.

 The holding structure or packaging 35 comprises two identical parallel side faces 41, 42 capable of framing two opposite lateral sides of the plies 37 and 38, the other two lateral sides 43, 44 being directly accessible and open, thus allowing access visual to containers 36.

 The packaging 35 also includes an upper face 45 suitable for covering the covers 46 of the containers 36 of the upper ply 38.

 The upper face 45 comprises a flat projecting part 47, directed towards the outside of the structure, parallel to the plane of the lateral faces 41 and 42, and situated at a distance from the upper edges 48 and 49 of said lateral faces, in line with a junction 50 between two rows 39 of containers of the same layer.

 Each lateral face 41, 42 has a T shape of height substantially equal to the height of the two superimposed layers and comprises an upper bar referenced 13, 14 as in FIG. 1 and a central leg 11, 12 extending downwards, of width corresponding to a whole number of containers.

 In the example of FIG. 2, where there are two layers of two groups of four yogurt pots, the length L of the upper bar of the T-shaped side faces is of the order of four widths of pots of yogurt, and the width 14 of the leg of said face is of the order of two widths of yogurt pots.

 The lateral edges of the legs 11 and 12, constituted, as we have seen with reference to FIG. 1, by the fold lines 7, 8, 9 and 10 are interconnected by two transverse walls 52 and. 53, arranged to fit between two parallel rows 39 of the lower sheet of containers.

 The walls 52 and 53 have on their lower edges 52b and 53b, a notch 54, 55 constituted in one case by the superposition of the two notches 29 and 30 of the two end flaps 2 and 6 and in the other case by the notch 31 of the central flap 4.

 These two notches are located to the right of the projecting part 47, constituted by the two secondary flaps 21 and 22, the lateral faces of which are glued to one another.

 The notches 21'a and 22'a come in line with the vertices of the elongated notches 54 and 55.

 The flat projecting part 47 comprises a recess 56 obtained by the downward folding of the cutouts 26 and 27, cutouts which constitute small tongues 57 one of which is inserted in the recess, in the extension of a main flap, and the other below the main flap opposite.

 We will now refer to Figures 3, 4 and 5 to describe an alternative embodiment of the invention, corresponding to a structure for twenty-four pots of yogurt on two tables.

 The differences between the new blank and the new corresponding packaging will be explained in detail below, and those described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rest of the description concerning the former remaining otherwise applicable.

 FIG. 3 shows a blank 101 of corrugated cardboard sheet comprising, in the same way as in the case of FIG. 1, a series of five flaps 102, 103, 104, 105 and 106 connected to each other by first lines of folding 107, 108, 109, 110 parallel to each other.

 More precisely, these five components consist of three substantially rectangular components 102, 104 and 106, and by two T-shaped components 103 and 105.

 The two end flaps 102 and 106 this time have a complete elongated notch 129 and 130, their upper tab 132 and 133 being located inwards in the transverse direction of said flaps, and no longer at the end as in the blank of figure 1.

 The central flap 104 has two elongated notches 131 and 131 'and two tabs 134 and 134'.

 The notches are arranged to correspond to a flat projecting part, the tabs being arranged to be able to fit into a recess made in the upper flange of yogurt pots, as we have seen.

 A second difference existing with the blank of FIG. 1 resides in the width 11 of the rectangular main flaps 115 and 116, the flap 115 being twice as wide as the flap 116.

 Such an arrangement makes it possible to offset the secondary flaps 121 and 122, which when the packaging is formed, and once glued to each other, will form a flat part projecting vertically at the junction between two parallel rows of yogurt pots, which will therefore allow nesting between packages as will be more precisely described with reference to FIG. 6.

 FIG. 4 shows a package 135 being formed from a blank 101.

 The open intermediate structure 160 formed by the blank is first produced, for example around a mandrel.

 The end flaps being glued to each other to form the wall 152, the structure is then conveyed for example on a conveyor belt, at the station for loading the yoghurt pots.

 The main flaps 115 and 116 are open and apart towards the outside as shown in FIG. 4.

 Then introduced, on top, the two groups 161 and 162 of six pots of yogurt each, from the lower layer.

 Each group is made up of two rows X1, X2 (respectively X3, X4) of three pots or, which amounts to the same thing, of three rows Y1, Y2 and Y3 of two pots.

 The pots are lowered by inserting the walls between the rows X1 and X2 on the one hand, X3 and X4 on the other hand, each group thus being astride a wall.

 The tabs 132, 133 and 134, 134 'also find their place simultaneously in the recesses 163 arranged between a group of four yoghurt pots.

 The upper ply, constituted in an identical manner to the first ply, is then placed on the lower ply, the rounded end of the tabs allowing in particular guidance and setting of the positioning of this second ply relative to the first.

 The secondary flaps are also glued before folding the main flaps 115 and 116 onto the lid of the yogurt pots of the upper layer. The secondary flaps are then applied one against the other, centering them one with respect to the other thanks to the elongated recesses 156, which are adjusted one opposite the other, for example with a spreader finger applied in the direction of the slot in the recess.

 This gives the packaging 135 of FIG. 5 which has a flat projecting part 147 perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the upper face 145 of the packaging.

 This flat projecting part is located to the right of the junction slot between the rows YI and Y2 and to the right of the notches 154, 154 'and 155, 155' of the side walls 152 and 153.

 Such an arrangement thus allows the nesting of two packages superposed one on the other as shown in FIG. 6, the projecting part 171 of a lower package 170, fitting into a notch 154 of an upper package 135.

 It can be seen that said projecting part of a package 135 ′ can equally be located on one side or the other of the package with respect to the projecting part of the previous package 135 or 170.

 With the invention it is therefore possible to easily palletize packages and simultaneously allow locking of the packages on one another, which makes the assembly particularly stable.

 The weight of the upper packaging is taken up by the T-shaped side faces, and guarantees good resistance to vertical compression of the stacked packaging as well as protection of the yoghurt pots.

 FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the blank 201 according to the invention which has the particular feature of allowing the stacking of three layers of containers.

 The blank 201 therefore has, for example, a bar of T 213, 214, for the flaps 203 and 205, of height corresponding to that of two layers of containers, the preceding modes showing bars of height corresponding to a single layer.

 The rest of the blank 201 is also identical to the blank described with reference to FIG. 1.

 We will now describe a device according to an embodiment of the invention.

 FIGS. 8 and 9 show a device 301 for packaging packs 302 of yogurt pots comprising a magazine 303 for supplying blanks or blanks 304, known in itself.

 A gripping device 305 by vacuum suction is provided for unstacking the cutouts which are then pushed one by one, flat, again here in a manner known per se, by means 306 on a table 307 to the station 308 where the blank is placed below, at a distance d from a horizontal parallelepiped mandrel 309.

 An adhesive injector 310 is provided for gluing the top 311 of an end flap (see FIG. 10), during the operation of bringing to station 308.

 The top 312 of a secondary flap will for example be glued later.

 The intermediate structure suitable for receiving the packaging is then produced at station 308 in the following manner.

 The T-shaped flaps are folded down (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 11) by means 313, such as push cylinders against the lateral faces 314 of the mandrel 309, the latter having lower edges 315 suitable for precisely coinciding with the first fold lines separating the central flap from the T-shaped flaps

 Such a folding allows very precise positioning.

 The main flap 316 of the blank is then applied against the flat underside 317 of the mandrel, bringing the cutout close to the mandrel, and the end flaps 318, 318 ′ are folded over one another which are thus glued together.

 The device 301 furthermore comprises a chain with reciprocating motion in noria 319 provided with a succession of shoe trees 320 regularly spaced apart and for example constituted by four parallel pins 321 of height equal to that of the leg of the T-shaped flaps, arranged at the four corners of a parallelepiped of dimension slightly smaller than the dimensions of the belt 322 formed by the folding of the flaps.

 The device comprises pushing means, horizontally, of the intermediate structure thus formed on a vertical lateral side 323 of the chain.

 The belt 322 therefore fits into the shoe trees arranged horizontally.

 Alternate transfer to all subsequent stations in the packaging process is accomplished by rotating the large sprockets 324 of the chain 90 ".

 Parallel to station 308, for example by conveyor belt, provision is made for feeding 325 packs 302 of yoghurt pots, in a lower then upper layer.

 Means for pre-folding towards the outside of the main flaps to open the intermediate structure and for pre-folding of the projecting parts are provided at station 326, for example by retractor jack.

 Automatic means 327 for introducing the packs of pots, shown diagrammatically in particular in FIG. 12, are provided for filling in the lower part of the intermediate structure, then in the upper part at the next station.

 The device 301 further comprises means 328, suitable for folding the upper flaps over the covers of the upper ply, then the parts projecting one against the other from the packages after filling, and an adhesive injector for gluing said parts. projecting.

 These are applied one against the other in 329, the pressurization of two projecting parts facing each other being preceded by the referencing of these parts for example by extensible centering means penetrating into the orifices. 330 of the projecting flat parts.

 Once the packages 331 are finished, they are then brought into position to be taken manually or mechanically, for example by the arm of a robot 332, to directly constitute the pallet 333.

Claims (19)

 1. Blank (1,101,201) in cardboard sheet or corrugated cardboard for the production of a structure (35,135) for holding and gripping at least two plies (37,38) superimposed on containers (36) connected to each other in the upper part of each of said plies, characterized in that the blank comprises a series of five flaps (2,3,4,5,6 102,103,104,105,106) connected to each other by first fold lines parallel to each other, at namely three flaps (2,4,6 102,104,106) substantially rectangular including two end flaps and a central flap, said substantially rectangular flaps being separated from each other by two identical flaps in the form of T (3.5; 103.105) each comprising a central leg (11.12) connected respectively by said first fold lines to an adjacent substantially rectangular flap, said leg being of lateral dimension corresponding to an integer number of containers, and a bar upper (13,14) extending over a lateral dimension corresponding to the length of a ply, above the upper edge of said substantially rectangular flaps, symmetrically on either side of said leg, each T-shaped flap being provided with '' a main flap (15,16; 115,116) connected to the upper edge of the bar of said T by a second fold line perpendicular to the first fold lines and suitable for covering a complementary part, relative to that of the other main flap , lids of the containers of the upper ply, to form the cover (45,145) of the structure when said flap is folded down by folding along said second line of pl iage on the lids of the upper sheet of containers, each main flap being provided with an end portion (19,20) of junction with the main flap of the other side face opposite when the structure is formed around the sheets .  2. Blank according to claim 1, characterized in that said terminal junction part is formed by a secondary flap (21,22; 121,122) connected to said main flap by a third fold line parallel to the second fold line, located side opposite to said second fold line, and in that the end flaps (2.6: 102.106) have at least one elongated notch (129,130), or an elongated notch portion (29,30) of greater width to that of a half notch, on their lower end edge, and the central flap (4,104) comprises at least one elongated notch (31,131,131 '), the width and the length of said notches being a little greater than the width and the height of the cross section of two adjoining secondary flaps, said notch portions or notches being parallel to the third fold lines and located at a distance from said third fold lines of the flap corresponding to an entire number r of containers.  3. Blank according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, a sheet being formed of a group of containers connected to each other via their upper flanges, having a central recess at the junction between four containers, each substantially rectangular flap has on its upper edge at least one tab (32,33,34; 132,133,134,134 ') extending upward over a determined height, in line with said notches and of shape arranged to fit into a recess when the structure is formed around said tablecloths.  4. Blank according to claim 3, characterized in that each end flap has a tab (132,133) on its upper edge and a notch (129,130) on its lower edge, and in that the central flap has two tabs (134,134 ') on its upper edge and two notches (31,31') on its lower edge.  5. blank according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each secondary flap comprises a cutout (26,27) having a connecting edge of the cutout with the third fold line and a free edge in the form of a flattened circle , to form a central recess of elongated shape when the cutout is pressed.  6. Method of packaging at least two superimposed parallelepipedic sheets each composed of two groups of identical containers arranged in parallel rows and connected by group to each other in the upper part of each of said sheets, from a blank according to 1 'any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an intermediate structure is formed consisting of the blank (1) wound on itself around a mandrel, the two end flaps (2,6) are fixed one on the other to form transverse walls (52,53) spacing the T-shaped flaps, the main flaps (15,16) are spread apart from said T-shaped flaps towards the outside, we introduce from above said intermediate structure stiffened by the transverse walls, the two groups of receptacles of the lower ply by embedding respectively two adjacent rows of said groups on said walls (52,53) are placed above and on the right or portions of the lower ply, the portions of the upper ply (s), the main flaps (15,16) of the two T-shaped flaps facing each other are folded over the lids of the containers of the upper ply, that the 'one fixes against the other to form a flat portion projecting perpendicular to the plane of the covers of said upper ply.  7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that, the containers of the same group being interconnected via their upper flanges by having a central recess at the junction between four containers and the transverse walls having lugs, the legs (32, 33, 34) of substantially rectangular flaps in the corresponding recesses, simultaneously with the introduction of the groups of receptacles of the lower ply.  8. Method according to any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that a cut having been made in the second flaps placed opposite, a tool is introduced in said cutouts to exactly adjust the two second flaps one opposite each other before or during fixing.  9. Application of the method according to any one of claims 6 to 8 to the packaging of sheets of yogurt pots.  10. Device for packaging at least two superimposed parallelepipedic plies each composed of two groups of identical containers arranged in parallel rows and connected in groups to each other in the upper part of each of said plies, from a blank such as described above, characterized in that it comprises - means for bringing the blanks flat, one by one, under a horizontal mandrel of rectangular section at a distance d from the underside of said mandrel, - said mandrel of rectangular section of width equal to the width of said central flap, - means for gluing an end flap and a secondary flap of said blanks, - means for applying the central flap to the underside of the mandrel and winding of the series of flaps around the mandrel for bonding the end flaps to one another, - means for introducing the lower part of the intermediate structure thus formed, constit uée by the flaps connected to each other, on a horizontal shoe tree arranged in the axis of the mandrel, mounted on a chain in noria with successive movement, - said chain comprising several successive shoe trees, - means for pre-pressing the main flaps and flat parts projecting from the flaps, - means for filling said intermediate structures with groups of containers and, - means for applying the flat parts projecting from said intermediate structures one against the other for fixing the second flaps one on the other and closing of the packaging.  11. Device according to claim 10 characterized in that it further comprises means for adjusting the two second flaps of the same intermediate structure one opposite the other before bonding of said second flaps one against the 'other.  12. Device according to claim 1Ofi, characterized in that it further comprises means for automatic gripping of the projecting flat parts of the packages formed for their direct placing on a pallet.  13. Structure (35,135) for holding and gripping at least two parallelepipedal plies (37,38) superimposed on identical containers arranged in parallel rows (39) and connected in groups to each other in the upper part of each of said plies, said structure being made of a sheet of cardboard or corrugated cardboard and comprising two identical parallel side faces (41,42), suitable for framing two opposite lateral sides of said sheets, and an upper face (45) suitable for covering the covers of the receptacles of the upper ply, characterized in that the upper face comprises a projecting flat part (47) directed towards the outside of the structure, parallel to the plane of the lateral faces and situated at a distance from the upper edges of said lateral faces so as to appear at the junction between two rows of containers of the same layer, each of said side faces has a f elm of T of height substantially equal to the height of the said plies, comprising an upper bar of length substantially equal to the length of the upper ply and a central leg extending downward, of width corresponding to an integer number of containers, the lateral edges of the legs of the two opposite lateral faces being interconnected by two transverse walls (52, 53) perpendicular to the planes of said central legs, said transverse walls being arranged to fit between two parallel rows of the lower ply of containers and comprising on their lower edge directed towards the outside of the structure, at least one elongated notch (54, 55) suitable for receiving a flat projecting part of section identical to that of the flat projecting part of the upper face of said structure located in line with said notch, said notch being located at a distance from the lower edges of the legs of the walls side so as to appear at the junction between two rows of containers of the same tablecloth.  14. holding and gripping structure according to claim 13, characterized in that, to form the upper face and the projecting flat part, each of the upper bars of the T of the two side walls is provided with a main flap (21, 22; 121,122) connected to the upper edge of said upper bar by a fold line, said second fold line, each main flap being folded around the outer upper edge of the corresponding side of the sheet in a plane perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the bar, each main flap being able to cover a complementary part, relative to that of the other main flap, with the covers of the containers of the upper ply and being terminated on the side opposite to said second fold line by a secondary flap connected to said main flap by a third fold line parallel to the second fold line and folded towards the outside of the structure re perpendicular to the plane of said main flap to form, with the secondary flap of the main flap of the opposite side to which it is fixed, said flat projecting part perpendicular to said plane.  15. Support structure according to any one of claims 13 and 14, characterized in that the two parallel transverse walls are connected to the lateral edges opposite the legs of the two lateral faces by first fold lines and in that 'They are respectively constituted on the one hand by a first plate connected to two lateral edges facing the legs of the lateral faces and on the other hand by two half-plates whose ends are glued to each other.  16. Holding structure according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that it comprises holding means capable of preventing the transverse movement of the upper ply (s) in the direction parallel to the side walls.  17. Support structure according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that, the receptacles of the same group of plies being interconnected via their upper flanges, having a central recess at the junction between four receptacles, each plate and half plate has on its upper edge at least one tab (32,33,34; 132,133,134,134 ') extending upward over a determined height and arranged to be inserted into a recess when the structure is formed around said plies.  18. Support structure according to claim 17, characterized in that the flat projecting part is eccentric relative to the transverse plane parallel to the lateral faces, the width of a main flap of a lateral face being substantially twice that of the main flap of the other side face opposite, and in that each wall has two tabs on its upper edge and two notches on its lower edge.  19. Holding structure according to any one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the flat projecting part comprises a recess (56) for centering.