FR2735450A1 - Bulk packaging of food pots - Google Patents

Abstract

The method for the bulk packaging of pots (P1,P2) consists of placing them on trays (11,12) which are then placed on top of each other. The trays have an assembly of cavities whose geometry corresponds to that of the bottoms of the pots. The superposed trays and pots are then surrounded with a thermoplastic stretchable film (7). Centralising pegs can be provided for housing in the cracks (5) between the pots to ensure centralising of the two layers of pots. The film has a tearable band (6) enabling its easy rupture. The film is guided around the rounded edge of the trays and is held on the edges of the pot collars to avoid its accidental tearing.

Description

METHOD FOR GROUPING OBJECTS AND IMPLEMENTATION TRAY
The present invention relates to a method for carrying out the grouping of several objects or articles and in particular, but not exclusively, of food products of current consumption as well as a tray for the implementation of the method.

For commercial and distribution reasons, it is known to group articles, such as yoghurt pots or beer bottles, in packages or packs.

Currently, this grouping is obtained by overpacks generally made of cardboard which have multiple drawbacks
- The first is that such a grouping is expensive, that the
cardboard either glued or snapped in place with tabs
- the second is that such packs are difficult
to open, since you almost have to cut one
part, and it's practically very difficult to extract
an object of the pack
- the third is that the cardboard is sensitive to
humidity. The different distribution channels
are not always waterproof and the warehouses are very
often damp, not to mention condensation
- the fourth drawback is that the presence
of cardboard generates bacteriological contamination
airborne.

It is also known to assemble a set of objects under a heat-shrinkable film, but these films cannot be decorated by printing, the tension required on the film causing the decorations to be deformed despite the precautions which are taken by holomorphism and it is necessary to introduce labels around the objects, below the film.

The present invention relates to an overpack allowing the grouping of a set of objects which overcomes the drawbacks of known overpacks, which can be placed at high speed, and at low cost, which is insensitive to humidity and which allows a easy unbundling.

According to the present invention, the method of grouping a set of objects using a thermoplastic film is characterized in that it consists in depositing the objects on trays and surrounding the object-tray assemblies with a stretchable or heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film provided with opening means.

The present invention also relates to a tray for the implementation of the method characterized in that it comprises a set of cells whose number corresponds to that of the objects to be grouped, and whose geometry corresponds to that of the bottoms of the objects, wedges protruding above the plate and a ledge.

Preferably, the trays are made of recycled thermoplastic material after regranulation which is thermoformed. It is known in fact that the manufacture of plastic containers produces numerous falls and the present invention allows rational use of such falls.

The installation of the transparent plastic film can be carried out by a machine for applying a stretch sleeve or using a banding machine followed by partial shrinkage.

To be able to work online and continuously, the process is as follows
- Unstacking of a first tray
- deposit objects on the tray;
- possibly placing a second tray on the surface
top of the objects of the first tray
- deposit on the second plate of a second group
of objects
- installation of film or sleeve.

After which, the objects are trapped between the plates and inside the film which ensures the mechanical cohesion of the assembly.

the present invention aims to introduce a new concept into the field of grouping. Indeed, previously the grouping of objects required different movements of the objects and of the packaging which were difficult to adjust, in particular taking into account the instability of the carton, which reduced the rates and, consequently, increased the costs.

By a suitable exploitation of the known properties, of weldability and of heat shrinkage of certain plastic sheets, the objects remain in the same relative position between the output of the production machine and the output of the wrapper. We will no longer introduce the objects into the packaging, but simply circulate them linearly, the packaging coming around them during their progression. The grouping thus has a suitable rigidity and can be opened easily.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear during the following description of a particular embodiment, given solely by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the drawings which represent
- Figure 1, a perspective view of a tray according to the invention
- Figure 2, a perspective view of a grouping of
containers
- Figure 3, a front view of the pack obtained.

In the description which follows, the objects to be grouped will be pots, of the yogurt pot type, which we want to group by 4, 6, 8 or 12, each assembly comprising at least one set of four pots, on two lines and two columns.

Machines already exist which allow such assemblies to be produced automatically at the end of the production line. However, the invention can be applied to any object and to any provision. In the example shown, the problem is to pack twelve pots on two beds of six. However, it is of course possible to stack more than two beds as will be explained below.

FIG. 1 represents a plate necessary for the implementation of the grouping process. It consists of a sheet 1, thermoformed, for example of polystyrene. Inside the sheet are formed cells 2 which can be through holes or blind holes. the through holes make it possible to lighten the plate. These cells 2 are intended to receive the bottom of the containers and to maintain them at a suitable spacing. By the presence of these cells, the pots are automatically aligned.

They are, moreover, held by central wedges 3 projecting above the surface of the plate. Finally, externally, they are also held by a peripheral rim 4, forming a sort of bowl, which is rounded. By these three means, the pots are automatically aligned and held in position. They can then be coated with a film.

Figure 2 shows, in perspective a pack or group of pots P twelve in number. In the example shown, the pots are grouped in packs of six and are joined by their flanges. But the invention applies, a fortiori with separate pots. The six pots P1 are initially placed on the plate 11 of the type described above. Then a second plate 12 is arranged on the upper part, that is to say on the lids of the pots P1. Centering pins (not shown) can be provided to be housed in the interstices 5 existing between the pots to ensure centering of the bed of pots P1 and the bed of pots P2. The pots P2 are then placed on the plate 12. And the assembly is surrounded by a film 7 transparent or not and decorated or not. The film 7 preferably has a tear-off or tear-away strip 6 allowing easy rupture of the film 7.

The rounding of the edge of the plate makes it possible to tension the plastic grouping film. As shown in FIG. 3, the film 7 is guided by the rounded edge 4 of the plate 11 and on the edges of the flanges of the pots P1 and P2, which prevents it from being torn accidentally.

It goes without saying that many variants can be made, in particular by substitution of equivalent technical means, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (2)

10 Method of grouping a set of objects (P) using  a thermoplastic film (7), characterized in that it  consists in depositing the objects (P) on trays (1) and  to surround the object-tray sets with a film  thermoplastic (7) stretchable or heat shrinkable provided with  opening means (6). 20 Tray for implementing the process, characterized  in that it comprises a set of cells (2) the  number corresponds to that of the objects (P) to be grouped, and  whose geometry corresponds to that of the bottoms of  objects, wedges (3) projecting above the plate and  a rounded edge (4).