FR2756257A1 - PROCESS FOR PACKAGING CONTAINERS, MACHINE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROCESS AND LOT OF PACKAGED CONTAINERS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention consists of inserting into the top tray of the batch of nested stacked trays and packaging, a dish-shaped element (5) with a bottom and a side wall adapted to cover the inside of the top tray and delimiting a space (6) capable of receiving by interlocking another batch of trays, for stacking purposes on said batch, the wall being extended by a rim, at least part of which (5c ") is substantially parallel to the bottom and sufficient width to extend substantially to the lateral periphery of said batch, and is characterized in that it further consists in wrapping the assembly tray-element in heat-shrinkable plastic film 7, in applying the packaging of film against said assembly by heat shrinkage, and in severing the portion of film facing said space, so as to allow subsequent stacking of said other batch.

Description

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  The present invention relates, in general, to the packaging of trays. It relates more particularly to the packaging of a certain number, or

  lots, of trays which are stacked nested one inside the other.

  These trays are generally, but not exclusively, in the form of a pyramid trunk or a truncated cone stamped in aluminum foil. They are sold in many stores and in particular in supermarkets, accompanied by their covers, in particular at

  for food preservation purposes.

  These trays are packed to prevent them from being soiled before use. In addition, some packages are shaped so that the sets of trays housed in the package can be

  stacked, which reduces the size of the storage.

  In addition, some packaging is also produced so that, if all the trays are not used simultaneously, the packaging can be replaced, which protects the others

  trays and keep them clean and dust-free.

  Such packaging is known from patent application FR-A-2 733 488 and comprises a first plastic element in the form of a bowl with a bottom and a side wall terminated by a rim and intended to contain a number of stacked trays. and fitted into each other and a second plastic element also affecting a bowl shape with a bottom and a side wall, and having dimensions corresponding to the interior of the tray above, in order to be inserted in this one. The side wall is extended by a rim, the rims of the first and

  of the second elements being fixed by one or more welding points.

  As the rims are not assembled to each other around the entire periphery of the first and second elements, access to the trays, in particular their interior, is not totally condemned and, therefore, the risk of

  soiling of these trays, mainly the one above, remains.

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  In addition, the implementation of such first and second separate plastic elements is relatively expensive, both in terms of manufacturing and in terms of subsequent assembly during the packaging process (packaging time, means to be used for the packaging process

5 ...).

  In other similar packages of the state of the art, the edges of the first and of the second element are assembled by means of adhesive tape, or other equivalent means, in place of the welding points. However, these packages do not provide a solution to

  disadvantages which have just been mentioned.

  The present invention aims, in particular, to overcome these various drawbacks. To do this, it proposes, according to a first aspect, a method of packaging a batch of stacked trays nested, one inside the other, consisting of a) inserting into the tray above this batch of trays to be packaged, a bowl-shaped element with a bottom and a side wall adapted to cover the interior of the tray above and delimiting a space capable of receiving by interlocking another batch of trays, for stacking purposes on the batch of trays to be packaged, the side wall being extended by a rim at least part of which is substantially parallel to the bottom and of sufficient width to extend substantially to the lateral periphery of the batch of trays to be packaged, process characterized in that it further consists of b) packaging the assembly consisting of the batch of trays to be packaged and the cup-shaped element inserted in the top tray in shrink plastic film heat, c) applying the wrapping film against retraction by said assembly to heat and d) cutting the film portion facing said space,

  so as to allow the subsequent stacking of said other batch.

  The packaging of a batch of trays in this way proves to be simpler, faster and less expensive than the packaging methods of the state of the

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  known and detailed technique above, while effectively protecting the

trays against soiling.

  Indeed, it is only necessary to manufacture a single element in the form of a bowl, and the packaging of the assembly mentioned above in heat shrinkable plastic film, followed by the application of the packaging. of film against the assembly by heat shrinkage, can be effected by means

known and inexpensive.

  Preferably, in particular for aesthetic reasons of the packaging, said part of film is sectioned so as to be able to move it away from the tray-bowl-element assembly wrapped in film. Preferably, this part of film is separated from the assembly by suction. Advantageously, a cup-shaped element is used, the rim of which has a connection part with the side wall having, in section, an L shape serving as lateral guide and abutment in

  depth for a sectioning tool.

  If necessary, the lids folded in half and intended for the trays are stacked on the bottom of the tray above the trays, prior to step a). Following this step of adding covers and always before

  Step a) an advertising medium can be superimposed on these covers.

  According to another aspect, the present invention also provides a

  batch of stacked trays nested, one inside the other, and packaged.

  The packaging comprises a cup-shaped element with a bottom and a side wall, inserted in the tray above this batch of trays and covering the interior of this tray above, the bottom and the side wall defining a space capable to receive by interlocking another batch of trays, for stacking purposes on said batch of trays, the side wall being extended by a rim at least part of which is substantially parallel to the bottom and of sufficient width to extend substantially up to '' at the lateral periphery of said batch of trays, the packaging being characterized in that it further comprises a shrink-wrapped plastic film envelope, applied against the assembly

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  bowl-shaped element trays cut so as not to

  cover said space, so that subsequent stacking of said other batch is possible.

  Thanks to these provisions, the batch of packaged trays is effectively protected against any external contamination. Indeed, the heat-shrunk plastic film forms with the rim part of the cup-shaped element, substantially parallel to the bottom, a substantially hermetic joint plane. In any event, thanks to such packaging, access to

  the interior of the trays, which must absolutely be protected, is condemned.

  On the other hand, such packaging is less expensive than packaging

  of the state of the art mentioned above.

  Preferably, the part of the rim of the bowl-shaped element, which is substantially parallel to the bottom, is extended by a side skirt arranged opposite the upper ends of the trays of the batch.

of trays.

  Thanks to these provisions, the hermeticity of the joint plane formed by the heat-shrunk plastic film and the bowl-shaped element is further increased, thereby protecting the trays all the more effectively from any possible contamination. In addition, the skirt makes it possible to protect laterally the

impact trays.

  In addition, during use, after having taken one or more trays from the batch of trays, the bowl-shaped element can then be replaced and, thanks to the presence of the skirt, effectively protects the

  other trays, keeping them clean and protected from dust.

  The bowl-shaped element is advantageously made of plastic and preferably of transparent plastic such as

PVC.

  If necessary, the folded covers intended for the trays, are arranged on the bottom of the tray above, under the bottom of the element in

bowl shape.

  In the case where the bowl-shaped element is made of a transparent plastic material, an advertising medium may advantageously

  be placed between the folded covers and the cup-shaped element.

  The invention also provides a machine for implementing the sectioning and removal by suction of said part of film, comprising a punch, actuation means back and forth from the punch and means of suction fluidly connected to the punch. The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a batch of packaged trays, according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a schematic view in partial cross-section, on a larger scale, of the batch of packaged trays of Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view illustrating a step of the packaging method according to the invention; and - Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating another step of this packaging method according to the invention, as well as the means

  allowing the implementation of this step.

  A batch of packaged trays 1 is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The reference 2 designates trays, 4 in number, made of stamped aluminum, each tray having a bottom 2a, a side wall 2b, and a rim 2c, having in section an L shape and ended with a

  rolled part 2d (except in the corners of the trays).

  These trays are shaped to affect the shape of a trunk of

  pyramid to be stacked nested one inside the other.

  Of course, the trays to be packaged could of course have a completely different shape (truncated cone, etc.), be made of another material (cardboard, plastic, etc.), or even have several walls.

  surrounding the bottom 2a in place of the continuous side wall 2b.

  Lids 3 folded in half and intended to cover the trays, when in use, rest on the bottom 2a of the tray above. Furthermore, an advertising medium 4, in this case a printed sheet of paper, covers these covers and is interposed between the tray above and a cup-shaped element 5 which will now be described. This bowl-shaped element 5, or shell, is part of the packaging of the batch of trays. It affects a bowl shape with a bottom a and a side wall 5b whose free edge is extended by a rim 5c itself

even extended by a 5d skirt.

  This skirt 5d ends, itself, by a rim 5e (see FIG. 3).

  This bowl element 5 is here made in one piece from transparent plastic, in this case PVC, so that the advertising medium 4 is visible. In another embodiment, this cup-shaped element 5 can of course be made of other materials, such as

Stamped aluminum.

  The bottom 5a and the side wall 5b cover the interior of the top tray 2 and delimit the space 6 capable of receiving by interlocking another batch of trays, for stacking purposes on the present batch of packaged trays 1. The rim 5c has a connection part with the side wall 5b having, in section, an L shape. This connection part 5c 'is extended by a rim part 5c "substantially parallel to the bottom 5a and of sufficient width to s' extend substantially to the

  lateral periphery of the batch of trays 1. This rim part 5c "is itself

  even, terminated by the side skirt 5d which extends towards the bottom 5a, substantially perpendicular to the latter and facing the upper ends (rolled parts 2d) of the trays of the batch of trays 1. It

  moreover extends substantially to the level of the bottom 5a.

  It will also be noted that the connecting part 5c 'has an L-shaped profile allowing it to cover the L-shaped part of the corresponding rim 2c of the top tray 2, while the rim part 5c "covers the

  rolled part ending this same rim 2c.

  In other words, the bowl-shaped element has a conformation such that it can be inserted into the tray above, covering all the trays stacked up to the lateral periphery thereof. In particular, the bottom 5a comes opposite the bottom of the tray of the

above 2.

  The packaging also includes a plastic film envelope

  heat-shrunk 7, known per se, and applied against the tray assembly-

  bowl-shaped element. This film 7 was however sectioned opposite the space 6, so as to allow the subsequent stacking of another batch of

  trays on this batch of trays 1.

  In addition, this type of heat-shrunk plastic film being good

  known to a person skilled in the art, there will be no more detailed description thereof.

  Thanks to these provisions, a packaging for a batch of trays is produced, effectively protecting this batch of trays 1 against any contamination. Indeed, the rim part 5c "extending parallel to the bottom 5a and therefore substantially horizontally, it provides the plastic film 7 with an effective gripping location. This results in a substantially hermetic joint plane which is perfect by applying the plastic film against the outer face of the side skirt 5d. In any event, the rim part 5c "extending to the lateral periphery of the batch of trays 1 and being advantageously extended by the side skirt 5d, all body a stranger who could penetrate the packaging at the joint plane between the plastic film 7 and the bowl-shaped element 5, could not penetrate inside the trays, a space which it is absolutely necessary to protect, in particular

  when the trays are intended for food use.

  On the other hand, such packaging turns out to be less expensive than the packaging of the prior art requiring the production of two

  separate plastic parts, then their assembly.

  In addition, the side skirt 5d effectively protects the upper part of the batch of trays 1 against impact and, in use, after having removed one or more trays from the batch of trays 1, the bowl-shaped element 5 can then be replaced and, thanks to the presence of the side skirt 5d, the other remaining trays are protected so

particularly effective.

  It will be observed that the rim 5e ending the side skirt 5d, extends, before packaging (see FIG. 3) away from the bowl-forming part (bottom 5a and side wall 5b) of the bowl-shaped element 5, while after shrinking the plastic film 7 on this element 5, the rim folds in the direction of this cup-shaped part, opposite the rolled part 2d of the lower tray 2 of the batch of trays 1. It thus completes the protection of

trays against soiling.

  We will now describe the packaging process allowing

  to obtain the batch of packaged trays which has just been described.

  After having chosen the number of trays which one wishes to pack and which are stacked nested one inside the other, one comes to place on the bottom 2a of the top tray 2 of this batch, 1 the number of lids 3 folded in half corresponding to the number of trays to be packed

and intended for them.

  Then, the advertising medium 4 is superimposed on these covers 3, making it match the inside of the tray above and the outside of the

  trays, at the level of the rolled parts 2d.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the bowl-shaped element produced beforehand is inserted into the tray above. All of these steps can be done manually

or automated.

  The set of trays 2 - bowl-shaped element 5 covering these trays 2 is then brought, for example using a conveyor belt, to means making it possible to pack this set in heat-shrinkable plastic film and to apply this film packaging against the assembly, by heat shrinkage. These means being well known to those skilled in the art

  trade, they will not be described further here.

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  The film part opposite the space 6 is then sectioned, so as to allow subsequent stacking of another batch of trays on the

  present batch of packaged trays 1.

  This sectioning can of course be carried out manually, for example using a knife. In the case of a preferred embodiment, this sectioning is carried out using a particular machine which will

  now be described in support of Figure 4.

  This machine 10, shown schematically in Figure 4, is part of the packaging chain allowing the implementation of the packaging process in accordance with what has just been described above. It comprises a hollow cookie cutter 11, actuation means back and forth from the cookie cutter, not shown in FIG. 4, and suction means 12

  fluidly connected to the punch 11.

  More specifically, the hollow cookie cutter 11 comprises a rectangular base plate 13, a rectangular frame 14 which projects from this plate 13, perpendicularly to the latter and to the periphery thereof, up to an end provided with Sawtooth. Lugs 15 for connection to actuation means back and forth from the punch 11, such as a hydraulic, pneumatic or similar cylinder protrude from the plate 12 on the side of

  this opposite to the rectangular frame 14.

  The suction means are, in this case, represented simply by a pipe 12 connected to the cookie cutter 11 and emerging, via an opening 14 formed in the plate 13, in the hollow space formed by the plate 13 and the frame 14. The rest of the suction means 12 will not be described in more detail here, their use being within reach

of the skilled person.

  Thanks to this machine 10, the part of film facing the space 6 is not only cut, but also automatically removed from the batch.

  of packed trays, by suction.

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  Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments chosen and shown, but encompasses any variant within the reach of ordinary skill in the art. In particular, the connection part 5c ', by its L shape, can serve as a lateral guide and a depth stop for a specific cutting or cutting tool of the film part 7 opposite

space 6.

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Claims (12)

  1. A method of packaging a batch of stacked trays nested one inside the other, comprising a) inserting into the tray above this batch of trays to be packaged, a bowl-shaped element with a bottom and a side wall adapted to cover the interior of the tray above and delimiting a space capable of receiving by interlocking another batch of trays, for stacking purposes on the batch of trays to be packaged, the side wall being extended by a rim , at least part of which is substantially parallel to the bottom and of sufficient width to extend substantially to the lateral periphery of the batch of trays to be packaged, a process characterized in that it further consists b) in packaging the whole consisting of the batch of trays to be packaged and the cup-shaped element inserted in the top tray in heat-shrinkable plastic film, c) applying the film packaging contr e said assembly by heat retraction, and d) cutting the part of film facing said space, so as to   allow the subsequent stacking of said other batch.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said part of film is sectioned so as to be able to separate it from the assembly   bowl-shaped container wrapped in film.   3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that said   part of film is removed from said assembly by suction.   4. Method according to one of claims 1 and 3, characterized in that   that a bowl-shaped element is used, the rim of which has a connection part with the side wall, having, in section, an L-shape serving as lateral guide and depth stop for a tool for the implementation of step d). 12 2756257   5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that   that, prior to step a), it is stacked on the bottom of the tray of the   above the folded covers, intended for trays.   6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that, prior to step a), an advertising medium is superimposed on the covers. 7. Lot of stacked trays nested, one inside the other, and packaged, the packaging comprising a cup-shaped element (5) with a bottom (5a) and a side wall (5b), inserted in the tray above (2) of this batch of trays (1) and covering the interior of this tray from above, the bottom (5a) and the side wall (5b) delimiting a space (6) capable of receiving another batch of trays , for stacking purposes on said batch of trays, the side wall being extended by a flange (5c), at least one part (5c ") of which is substantially parallel to the bottom and of sufficient width to extend substantially up to at the lateral periphery of said batch of trays (1), the packaging being characterized in that it further comprises an envelope (7) of   heat-shrunk plastic film, applied against the trays assembly-   bowl-shaped element which is sectioned so as not to cover said element   space (6), so that subsequent stacking of said other batch is possible.   8. Lot of packaged trays according to claim 7, characterized in that the part (5c ") of the rim of the cup-shaped element (5), which is substantially parallel to the bottom, is extended by a side skirt (5d ), arranged opposite the upper ends of the trays of the batch of trays. 9. A batch of packaged trays according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the bowl-shaped element is made in one piece, made of transparent plastic.   10. Lot of trays packaged according to one of claims 7 to   9, characterized in that folded covers (3), intended for the trays (2), are arranged on the bottom of the top tray and under the bottom (5a) of the bowl-shaped element. 13 2756257   11. Lot of trays packaged according to claims 9 and 10, characterized in that an advertising medium is interposed between the lids   (3) and the bowl-shaped element (5).   12. Machine for implementing the sectioning and withdrawal by suction of said part of film according to claim 3, comprising a punch, actuation means back and forth from the punch and   suction means fluidly connected to the punch.