FR2709111A1 - Small metal container, made of steel in particular, having two compartments, and method of making this type of small container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a small metal container (1), made of steel in particular, having two compartments (A and B) for packaging, for example, food products. The small container is formed from two half-containers (10, 20) each made by pressing a blank of sheet steel and each comprising a bottom (11, 21), a peripheral skirt (12, 22) and an external rim (13, 23) which is substantially parallel with the corresponding bottom (11, 21) and comprising a straight edge over at least a portion of its periphery, each half-container (10, 20) comprising, on the portion of the external rim (13, 23) provided with the straight edge, a means of assembly (15, 25) with the other half-container and the said means of assembly (15, 25) of each half-container (10, 20) being formed by pressing the portion of the external rim (13, 23) provided with the straight edge of the said corresponding half-container (10, 20). The invention also relates to a method of making this type of small container.

Description

 The subject of the present invention is a metal tray, in particular steel, with two compartments for packaging, for example, food products, and a method of manufacturing this type of tray.

 For the packaging, for example, of food products, it is known to use trays comprising two separate compartments.

 This type of trays with two compartments makes it possible to package two different products or two separate rations which has the advantage for the consumer to open only one compartment if he wishes and keep the other compartment closed.

 Until now, this type of trays has been made either of plastic or of aluminum.

 In the case of aluminum, the quality of the tray obtained which generally has pleated surfaces and its use due to the small thicknesses used, greatly limits its use.

 In addition, this kind of trays is made in one piece which does not facilitate the filling of the compartments especially in the case of products of different nature and does not allow to obtain fast rates.

 The object of the invention is to avoid these drawbacks by proposing a metal tray, in particular made of steel with two compartments, and a method of manufacturing such a tray that is particularly simple to implement.

 The subject of the invention is therefore a metal tray, in particular steel, with two compartments for packaging, for example, food products, characterized in that it is formed by two half trays each produced by stamping a sheet metal blank and comprising each a bottom, a peripheral skirt and an outer edge substantially parallel to the bottom and comprising on at least part of its periphery a straight edge, each half-tray comprising, on the part of the outer edge provided with the straight edge, a means of 'assembly with the other half-tray and said means for assembling each half-tray being formed by stamping the part of the outer edge provided with the straight edge of said corresponding half-tray.

According to other features of the invention
the means for assembling the first half-tray is formed by a connecting gutter and the means for assembling the second half-tray is formed by a connecting hem formed on the straight edge of the outer edge of said second tray, said connecting hem being of shape substantially complementary to the gutter and being intended to be inserted by sliding into said gutter,
the connecting gutter is separated from the peripheral skirt of the first half-tray by an intermediate flat,
- the connecting hem is separated from the peripheral skirt of the second half-tray by an intermediate flat,
- the gutter and the connecting hem form a straight line,
- the connecting gutter is separated from the straight edge of the outer edge of the first half-tray by an outer flat,
- The gutter and the connecting hem form a curved line for example in a plane parallel to the bottoms of said half-trays.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a metal container, in particular steel, with two compartments, as mentioned above, characterized in that
- two half-trays are each produced by stamping two sheet metal blanks each having a bottom, a peripheral skirt and an outer edge substantially parallel to the corresponding bottom,
- a clipping of the outer edge of each half-tray is carried out to form, on at least part of the periphery of said outer edge, a straight edge
- a stamping gutter is made on the part of the outer edge comprising the rectilinear edge of the first half-tray, and the opening of this gutter is tightened,
- a stamped edge is produced on the part of the outer edge comprising the straight edge of the second half-tray, and said dropped edge is rolled up to form a connecting hem of shape substantially complementary to the gutter,
- And we assemble the two half-trays by sliding the hem into the connecting gutter.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a metal tray with two compartments according to the invention,
- Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the container shown in FIG. I,
- Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view on a larger scale showing a first embodiment of the means for assembling the two half-trays making up the tray according to the invention,
- Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view on a larger scale showing a second embodiment of the means for assembling the half-trays making up the tray according to the invention,
- Figs. 5 are schematic sectional views showing the different stages of manufacturing the first half-tray,
- Figs. 6 are schematic sectional views showing the different stages of manufacture of the second half-tray.

 There is shown in Figs 1 and 2, a metal tray including steel designated as a whole by the reference 1 and having two compartments A and B.

 The container 1 is formed by two half-containers 10 and 20 each produced by stamping a sheet blank as will be seen later.

 The first half-tray 10 has a bottom 11, a peripheral skirt 12 and an outer edge 13 substantially parallel to the bottom 11.

 The outer edge 13 has on at least part of its periphery a straight edge 14 (Figs. 2 and 3).

 The second half-tray 20 has a bottom 21, a peripheral skirt 22 and an outer edge 23 substantially parallel to the bottom 21.

 The outer edge 23 also includes on at least part of its periphery a straight edge 24 (Figs. 2 and 3).

 The first half-tray 10 comprises, on the part of the outer edge 13 provided with the straight edge 14, a means of assembly with the second half-tray and this second half-tray comprises, on the part of the outer edge 23 provided from the straight edge 24, a means of assembly with said first half-tray 10.

 The means for assembling the first half-rack 10 is formed by a connecting gutter 15 obtained by stamping the part of the outer edge 13 provided with the straight edge 14.

 The means for assembling the second half-bar 20 is formed by a connecting hem 25 obtained by stamping the part of the outer edge 23 provided with the straight edge 24 and produced on said straight edge 24.

 The connecting hem 25 is of substantially complementary shape to the gutter 15 and is intended to be inserted by sliding into said gutter 15.

 To avoid any sliding of the two half-trays 10 and 20 relative to one another after their assembly, the section of the hem 25 may have dimensions slightly greater than the section of the gutter 15 to generate friction when the introduction of this hem 25 into said gutter 15.

 The connecting gutter 15 is separated from the peripheral skirt 12 of the first half-tray 10 by an intermediate flat 13a and the connecting hem 25 separated from the peripheral skirt 22 of the second half-tray 20 by an intermediate flat 23a.

 According to a first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the gutter 15 and the hem 25 are inclined.

 According to a second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 the gutter 15 and the hem 25 are straight and symmetrical.

 As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the gutter 15 and the hem 25 form a straight line and the gutter 15 is separated from the straight edge 14 of the outer edge 13 of the first half-tray 10 by an outer flat 13b.

 This provision prevents the folding of the assembly down around the hem 25 when the two half-trays 10 and 20 are assembled which allows the consumer to be able to carry the tray 1 while holding only a half-tray 10 or 20.

 According to a variant, the gutter 15 and the hem 25 can form a curved line for example in a plane parallel to the bottoms 11 and 21 of the demibarquettes 10 and 20 which prevents any folding up and down of these two half trays around hem 25.

 As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the half-trays 10 and 20 comprise, on the free edges of the outer edges 13 and 23, an anti-injury hem, respectively 16 and 26.

 The tray according to the invention may be composed of more than two half-trays, and in this case the intermediate half-tray (s) comprise an outer edge provided with two opposite rectilinear edges and comprising either two opposite hems or two opposite gutters, or a hem on one side and a gutter on the opposite side.

The manufacturing method according to the invention of a metal tray, in particular made of steel with two compartments as described above, consists
- to be produced by stamping two sheet blanks 10a and 20a (Figs. 5a and 6a) two half-trays 10 and 20 each comprising a bottom 11 and 21, a peripheral skirt 12 and 22 and an outer edge 13 and 23 substantially parallel corresponding audit,
- performing a trimming of the outer edge 13 and 23 of each half-tray 10 and 20 to form, on at least part of the periphery of said outer edge 13 and 23, a straight edge 14 and 24 (Figs. 5c and 6c),
- To be produced by stamping, on the part of the outer edge 13 comprising the straight edge 14 of the first half-tray 10, a connecting gutter 15 (Fig. 5d) and to tighten the opening of this gutter 15 (Fig. 5th),
- To achieve by stamping, on the part of the outer edge 23 comprising the straight edge 24 of the second half-tray, a fallen edge (Fig. 6d) and to roll said falling edge to form a connecting hem (25) of shape substantially complementary to the gutter 15 (Fig. 6e),
- And to assemble the half-trays 10 and 20 thus formed by sliding the hem 25 into the gutter 15 (Fig. 1).

 The installation for implementing this method comprises a conventional drawing device, not shown, of the two sheet blanks 10a and 20a (Figs.

 5a and 6a) to form the half-trays 10 and 20 each comprising respectively a bottom 11 and 21, a peripheral skirt 12 and 22 and an outer edge 13 and 23 substantially parallel to the corresponding bottom 11 and 21.

 On the other hand, the installation comprises a first stamping tool 30 shown in Figs.

5c to 5e to form the connecting gutter 15 on the outer edge 13 of the first half-tray 10.

 This first stamping tool comprises a vertically displaceable trimming tool 31 comprising an upper part 31a and a lower part 31b, a blank holder 32 and a die 33 arranged below said blank holder 32.

 The blank holder 32 is in two parts, respectively 32a and 32b, providing between them a space 34 in which a punch 35 moves vertically, the lower end 35a of which is rounded.

 The matrix 33 is also in two parts, respectively 33a and 33b, providing between them a space 35 arranged opposite the space 34 and in which a counter-punch 37 moves vertically.

 The upper end 37a of the counter-punch 37 is bevelled along a slope oriented towards the part 33a of the matrix 33.

 Furthermore, the part 33a of the matrix 33 comprises, on its lateral face directed towards the space 36 and near its upper surface disposed opposite the part 32a of the blank holder 32, an imprint 38.

 The gutter 15 is formed in the following manner.

 First of all, on the one hand, the upper part 31a of the lower part 31b of the clipping tool 31 is removed and, on the other hand, the blank holder 32 of the matrix 33.

 After placing the outer edge 13 in the tool 30, the upper part 31a of the clipping tool 31 and the blank holder 32 are lowered so as to pinch between the two parts 31a and 31b of the clipping tool 31 and between the blank holder 32 and the die 33 the outer edge 13 of the half-tray 10 (Fig.

5c).

 The punch 35 is in the high position and the counter-punch 37 is in the low position.

 After this operation, the trimming tool 31 moves upwards, which has the effect of cutting the end of the outer edge 13 and forming on at least part of the periphery of said outer edge 13 a straight edge 14 (Fig. 5d).

 Then, the punch 35 descends so as to form, on the part of the outer edge 13 comprising the straight edge 14, the connecting gutter 15 (FIG. 5d).

 Finally, the punch 35 goes up and the counter-punch 37 moves vertically upwards so that the lateral face of the gutter 15 disposed opposite the part 33a of the matrix 33 penetrates, under the effect of the end beveled upper 37a of the counter-punch 37, in the cavity 38 in order to tighten the opening of the gutter 15 (Fig. 5e).

 The installation also includes a second stamping tool 40 shown in Figs. 6c and 6th to form the hem 25 on the outer edge 23 of the second half-tray 20.

 This second stamping tool comprises a trimming tool 41, a matrix 42 formed by an upper matrix 42a and a lower matrix 42b and a blank holder 43 formed by an upper blank holder 43a and a greenhouse - lower blank 43b.

 The upper matrix 42a has, on its face disposed opposite the lower matrix 42b, an imprint 44a.

 Furthermore, the lower die 42b has, on its face disposed opposite the upper die 42a, an imprint 44b.

 The imprints 44a and 44b are positioned opposite one another.

 The forming of the hem 25 is carried out as follows.

 First of all, on the one hand, the upper matrix 42a is removed from the lower matrix 42b and, on the other hand, the upper blank holder 43a from the lower blank holder 43b.

 Next, the outer edge 23 of the second half-tray 20 is positioned between the upper die 42a and the lower die 42b and between the upper blank holder 43a and the lower blank holder 43b so that the end of the edge 23 is positioned above the clipping tool 41 as shown in FIG. 6c.

 After this operation, the upper die 42a and the upper blank holder 43a are lowered so as to pinch the outer edge 23 (FIG. 6c).

 Then, a trimming of the outer edge 23 is carried out by simultaneously lowering the matrix 42 so as to form, on at least part of the periphery of said outer edge 23, the straight edge 24.

 The descent of the die 42 also forms a fallen edge 27 on the outer edge 23, as shown in FIG. 6d.

 After the formation of this fallen edge 27, the die 42 is raised, which causes the falling edge 27 to roll in the indentations 44a and 44b and thus the formation of the hem 25, as shown in FIG.

6th.

 Then, it suffices to assemble the demibarquettes 10 and 20 thus formed by sliding the hem 25 into the connecting gutter 15.

 the purpose of preventing the inadvertent sliding of a half-tray relative to the other, it is possible by a very simple assembly to pinch at a point determines the gutter and the hem.

 The method according to the invention has the advantage of requiring only a reduced number of stamping phases which reduces the cost price of this type of trays.

 Compared to trays with two compartments made so far in plastic or aluminum, these steel trays offer greater manufacturing flexibility for the conditioner.

 In addition, the nature of the connection between the two half-trays thus formed is adapted to the rapid production rates.

Claims (9)

 1. A metal tray, in particular made of steel, with two compartments for packaging, for example, two food products, characterized in that it is formed by two half-trays (10, 20) each produced by stamping a sheet blank ( lOa, 20a) and each comprising a bottom (11, 21), a peripheral skirt (12, 22) and an outer edge (13, 23) substantially parallel to the corresponding bottom (11, 21) and comprising on at least one part from its periphery a straight edge (14, 24), each half-tray (10, 20) comprising, on the part of the outer edge (13, 23) provided with the straight edge (14, 24), an assembly means (15, 25) with the other half-tray and said assembly means (15, 25) of each half-tray (10, 20) being formed by stamping the part of the outer edge (13, 23) provided the straight edge (14, 24) of said corresponding half-tray (10, 20).  2. Metal tray according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for assembling the first half-tray (10) is formed by a connecting gutter (15) and the means for assembling the second half-tray ( 20) is formed by a connecting hem (25) produced on the straight edge (24) of the outer edge (23) of said second half-tray (20), said connecting hem (25) being of shape substantially complementary to the gutter (15) and being intended to be inserted by sliding into said gutter (15).  3. Metal tray according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the connecting gutter (15) is separated from the peripheral skirt (12) of the first half-tray (10) by an intermediate flat (13a).  4. Metal tray according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the connecting hem (25) is separated from the peripheral skirt (22) of the second half-tray (20) by an intermediate flat (23a ).  5. Metal tray according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gutter (15) and the hem (25) of connection form a straight line.  6. Metal tray according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting gutter (15) is separated from the straight edge (14) of the outer edge (13) of the half-tray (10) by an outer flat (13b) .  7. Metal tray according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the gutter (15) and the hem (25) of connection form a curved line for example in a plane parallel to the bottoms (11, 21) of said half-trays (10, 20).  8. Metal tray according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, on the free edges of these outer edges (13, 23) a hem, anti-injury (16, 26).  9. Method for manufacturing a metal tray (1), in particular in steel, with two compartments according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that  - Two half-trays (10, 20) are produced by stamping two sheet metal blanks (lova, 20a) each comprising a bottom (11, 21), a peripheral skirt (12, 22) and an outer edge (13, 23 ) substantially parallel to the corresponding bottom (11, 21),  - a clipping of the outer edge (13, 23) of each half-tray (10, 20) is carried out in order to form, on at least part of the periphery of said outer edge (13, 23), a straight edge (14 , 24),  - a stamping gutter (15) is made on the portion of the outer edge (13) comprising the rectilinear edge (14) of the first half-tray (10) and the opening of this gutter is tightened ( 15),  - One produces by stamping, on the part of the outer edge (23) comprising the straight edge (24) of the second half-tray (20), a fallen edge (27) and the falling edge is rolled to form a connecting hem (25) of shape substantially complementary to the gutter (15),  - And the two half-trays (10, 20) thus formed are assembled by sliding the hem (25) into the connecting gutter (15).