FR2757826A1 - Faceted polygonal packaging formed from polystyrene panels moulded onto film of same material - Google Patents

Abstract

This new faceted tubular packaging is formed by rolling up a flat panel (1). It includes a uniting film (2) and the facet sections (3a-f) carried by it and forming the hinges between them. The facets have joining edges in the form of partial mitres. Preferably the facets are made of expanded polystyrene, which may be moulded onto the film, itself of the same material

Description

 The present invention relates to a faceted tubular packaging and method of producing such packaging.

 There are different forms of tubular packaging. In general, these packages are quivers, for example for the transport and shipment of sheets such as drawing boards which are rolled up to place them in the quiver. These tubes are generally made of cardboard or plastic.

 However, such packaging tubes are relatively expensive not only to manufacture but also to transport empty since they are very bulky.

 There are also relatively flexible, tubular packages, for example of cylindrical plastic shape, generally transparent. These packages, slightly conical in shape, are engaged with one another when they are empty, which reduces their volume, but these relatively flexible packages are suitable for protecting an object that is transported by hand. But their lack of rigidity does not allow them to be used for expeditions.

 The object of the present invention is to create a tubular packaging which is resistant for shipping and compact in storage, before use, and which is advantageous in cost.

To this end, the invention relates to a faceted tubular packaging, characterized in that - it is obtained by winding a panel made flat
and including
* an assembly film
* facet elements carried by the film forming
hinges between the facet elements,
* the facet elements having junction edges in
tab shape.

 The tubular packaging according to the invention offers the advantage of being very space-saving in storage since it is flat, the various elements of the packaging being joined by the assembly film.

 To package an elongated product such as flowers, a bottle, etc., simply roll up the packaging and assemble the facets by their sides after having set up the product to be packaged.

 This packaging is easily assembled since it suffices to roll up the panel to give it its cylindrical shape, the various elements constituting the pivoting facets thanks to the hinges formed by the film.

 This film being on the outside of the packaging, it also constitutes the protective envelope.

 This tubular packaging can have any closed section. The simplest form is in a circle and the section of the package corresponds to a polygon.

But this polygon is not necessarily regular, that is to say inscribed in a circle. It can also be inscribed in an oval or even have a square or rectangular section.

 The packaging is made in one piece: all the elements forming the facets are carried by the same support film.

 The ends of this tubular packaging are closed if necessary by sectors respectively associated with the facets and representing a fraction of the surface of the bottom (or top) of the packaging.

 These sectors can be rigidly molded on the facets or be connected to these facets in an articulated manner by a hinged connection produced by the assembly film.

 The edges of the facets are preferably provided with male and female parts ensuring the nesting of the edges and the holding thereof by a clipping connection.

 The edges of the end sectors are also preferably formed by male / female parts for joining respectively.

 In a particularly advantageous manner, the edges of the sectors are split with a recessed part and a projecting part to form rebate assemblies between the different sectors.

 In fact, in this case, the sectors associated with each end of a facet of the tubular packaging have two different shapes so that the joint plane does not cross the entire sector and risks leaving a day. This joint arrives for example only at mid-thickness since the sectors are split: the edges of the sectors are offset, for example the inner part of one of the edges of the sector is recessed while the outer part of this same edge of the segment protrudes from the theoretical contour which corresponds to a triangle contour. The overlapping of the sectors strengthens the assembly and allows good transmission of forces between the ends and the side wall of the packaging.

 The inner surface of the facet elements may have a shape complementary to that of the product to be packaged, for example a rounded shape to receive a bottle, a bottle, a more polygonal shape to receive an object and to hold it in place.

 The exterior surface of the facets is also chosen according to the effect to be obtained. This surface can be flat but also curved to blur the sharp edges of the packaging after assembly. The external surface can also be irregular, imitating a material or a decorative relief.

 The packaging according to the invention is easily produced. An assembly film is placed in a mold and then the facet elements are injected which will stick to the assembly film so as to be held by the film. We can also proceed in the reverse order and mold the elements first, then open the mold, place the film on it; we close the mold to stick the film to the elements and we unmold the whole. The elements can also be associated with each other by their clipping means and especially thanks to the hinge formed by the film carrying the facet elements.

The present invention will be described below in more detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which
FIG. 1 is a schematic flat view of a panel used to produce a faceted tubular packaging according to the invention,
FIG. 2 shows the packaging of FIG. 1 during assembly,
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a six-faceted tubular package obtained after winding,
FIG. 4A is an end view of a first embodiment of a hexagonal package,
FIG. 4B is a view of two facet elements of the packaging of FIG. 4A, cut transversely, showing the shape of the end sectors,
FIG. 5A shows another embodiment of the means for assembling a package according to the invention,
- Figure 5B shows two facet elements with their end sector corresponding to a variant of the embodiment of Figure 4B.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an end sector conforming to that of FIGS. 5A, 5B,
FIG. 7 is a variant form of the end sector according to FIG. 6,
- Figures 8, 9, 10, 11 show different shapes of sections of facet elements for different interior and exterior surfaces.

 Figures 1, 2, 3 schematically show a first embodiment of a faceted tubular packaging according to the invention.

This package consists of a panel 1 intended to be rolled up. This panel includes an assembly film 2 carrying facet elements 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F. These facets, shown in section in Figures 1, 2, 3, have an isosceles trapezoidal section. The angle of the short sides 31A, 32A .. depends on the angle at the top ss: this angle has sides 31A, 32A ... 31F, 32F, is given by the following relation a =
2
In the example of FIGS. 1 to 3, a tubular packaging with regular polygonal section has been envisaged, that is to say inscribing itself in a circle. More precisely, the tubular packaging has six facets of hexagonal section.

 Each facet element therefore corresponds to 1/6 of the perimeter of the packaging once rolled up. The angles of the facets are chosen according to this perimeter to obtain a closed package, and the facet elements of which are supported on each other by their sides 31A, 32A ..

 Figures 1, 2, 3 also show an end 33A, 33B, 33C .. constituted by a sector representing a fraction of the bottom surface or the top of the package.

In the present case, since the packaging has a hexagonal section, the end sectors 33A. . 33F are equilateral triangles.

 This packaging is produced by winding the panel 1 as shown for an intermediate position in FIG. 2 and for the final assembly position in FIG. 3.

 During this winding, the sides 31A, 32A ... 31F, 32F are applied against each other to give the final shape to the packaging. During this same movement, the sides 34A, 35A of the end sectors bear against each other to form the bottom or the top.

 It should be noted advantageously that the sectors 33A ... not being held directly by hinges, it is advantageous to provide their edges 34A, 3SA. . male / female connecting elements, for example projecting parts and hollow parts extending over the entire length of the side or only intermittently or punctually so as to allow assembly by form. This assembly can even be a snap-fastening thanks to the appropriate shape of the assembly elements.

 This clipping ensures better hold of the overall packaging because neither the bottom nor the top can escape, open and weaken the packaging.

 The packaging according to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 is carried out by placing a film 2 of suitable shape in a mold and then by molding the facet elements 3A, 3B, 3C, etc. on the film 2. It is advantageous to 'use for the film 2 and the facet elements 3A, 3B, etc ... the same material, not expanding it for the film 2 and making it expand more or less for the facet elements. We can also proceed in the reverse order and mold the elements first, then open the mold, place the film on it; we close the mold to stick the film to the elements and we unmold the whole.

 Although in the embodiment of the faceted tubular packaging described above, the section corresponds to a regular polygon, more precisely to a hexagon, any other form of closed polygon can be envisaged, even irregular polygons, the principle of manufacture and assembly by winding remaining the same.

 FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B show two alternative embodiments of the end sectors. The references used in these figures 4A, 4B and 5A, 5B are the same as in Figures 1 to 3 except that for Figures 4A, 4B the references are increased by 100 and in the case of Figures 5A, 5B they are increased by 200.

 According to FIGS. 4A, 4B, the variant embodiment concerns the shape of the end segments to ensure the watertight nesting.

 According to the example of FIG. 4A, the end sectors 133A, 133B have complementary shapes to create a rebate. The pattern is thus repeated two by two, so this shape is only suitable for a package having a polygonal section with an even number of facets.

 In this example it has been assumed that the faceted tubular packaging could have a regular hexagon section.

 The facet elements 103A, 103B are fixed to the film 102.

 The end sectors 133A, 133B actually consist of two layers (as shown in the perspective view in Figures 6 and 7). The outer layer consists of an equilateral triangle shape bordered by the two sides 41A, 42A for the sector 133A and by the part also in the form of an equilateral triangle bordered by the sides 51A, 52A for the sector 133B.

 When the packaging is rolled up, the side 51A of the sector 133B is applied against the side 42A of the sector 133A.

 This external aspect of the bottom is shown in solid lines in FIG. 4A: the equilateral triangles remain preserved.

 On the other hand, behind this first layer, the sectors 133A, 133B have shapes different from those of an equilateral triangle. The recessed layer has a triangle shape, with an apex angle less than 600; this triangle is bordered by the sides 43A, 45A. At its base, this triangle joins an isosceles trapezium, the two lateral sides of which bear the references 44A, 46A.

 This second layer forms two cavities behind the sides 41A, 42A of the first layer. These cavities are in fact hidden by the facet element 103A represented in section by hatching.

 The second layer of the end sector 133B of the facet element 103B has a different shape: the sides protrude while those of the facet element 103A and its sector 133A were hollow.

 Thus, symmetrically, this second layer of the end sector 133B consists of a part comprising in its upper part two sides 53B, 55B continuing at the base by the sides 54B, 56B.

 When the assembly is carried out, the side 54B is applied against the side 46A and the side 53B against the side 45A and so on.

 The embodiment of the end sectors according to FIGS. 5A, 5B is different from that of FIGS. 4A, 4B in that there is no longer an alternation of recessed elements and of protruding elements on two successive sectors but alternating between the two sides of the same sector. The number of facet elements can be arbitrary (even or odd).

 Thus, and always assuming that the end sectors 233A, 233B ... consist of two layers, the outer layer of the sector has the shape of an equilateral triangle bordered by two edges 61A, 62A for the sector 233 and 71B, 72B for sector 233B.

 On the other hand, the inner layer is different and not symmetrical for the same sector.

This inner layer is bordered on the left by a side 63A and a side 64A (the latter is hidden behind the facet element shown in section)
On the right, sector 233A has a side 65A continuing with a side 66A.

 While on the left the sides 63A, 64A form a hollow part between the outer layer in the shape of an equilateral triangle (sides 61A, 62A), and the facet element 203A, on the right side, it is a raised part bordered by the segments 65A, 66A, which explains why the side 62A of the equilateral triangle, which is behind, is shown in dotted lines (at least for the part of this side which appears above the facet element 203A , chopped off).

 For sector 233B we find the same shapes of the triangular outer layer bordered by the sides 71B, 72B and by the sides of the inner layer. This is bordered homologously by two sides 73B, 74B homologous respectively to the sides 63A, 64A of the sector 233A and on the right by the sides 75B, 76B homologous respectively of the sides 65A and 66A of the sector 233A.

 When wrapping the package, the side 73B comes against the side 65A and the side 74B comes against the side 66A of the facet element 203A and so on.

 Figure 6 shows an asymmetrical shape of an end sector similar to that of Figure 5B, so this figure uses the same references (although the left and right sides have been reversed to better show the cavity) . The references have therefore also been reversed.

 Figure 7 shows a neighboring shape, a variant of that of Figure 6 and for which the outer and inner layers of Figure 6 have been inverted. As the shapes are basically the same, the same references have been used here to designate the elements of the same shape by providing them with a ('). Their description will not be repeated.

 Figures 8, 9, 10, 11 show different shapes of sections of facet elements.

 According to FIG. 8, the facet element 303 is of trapezoidal section but its lower face has a hollow 304 in the form of a dihedron. Its outer surface 305 also shows a curvature 306 which has been sketched.

 In the example of FIG. 9, the facet element 403 has a cavity 404 in its inner face while its outer surface 405 is provided with two bosses 406, 407 sketched in dotted lines.

 The variant of the facet element 503 of FIG. 10 shows a sketched outer surface of polygonal shape 506 while the facet element 603 of FIG. 11 shows an irregular outer surface 606.

 In general, the end sectors can be joined to the facet elements and molded in the same mass. These end segments can, especially if they are fitted with nesting elements like those described and mentioned above, be connected to the ends by the hinges formed by the outer film. In this case their junction sides with the facet elements will also be at the tab to allow their positioning in the perpendicular position or in any other angular position, projecting outwards; in this case, the shape of the assembly and nesting elements along the edges of the end sectors is adapted to this non-perpendicular arrangement.

 The packaging according to the invention is not only easy to manufacture since it is produced flat in a film but its transport volume is also very small and above all much more reduced than that of tubes.

 The winding or closing of the packaging is very easy to perform since the panel rolls around the product to be packaged; it can also be partially closed to receive the product and then be closed completely.

 The packaging can be closed in different ways with glue or even the shipping label or by welding.

 This packaging, the wall of which advantageously consists of expanded material, has interesting isothermal characteristics for the shipment of fragile products such as plants or certain food products.

Claims (7)

10) Faceted tubular packaging, characterized in that - it is obtained by winding a panel (1) produced at  flat and including  * an assembly film (2)  * facet elements (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F) worn  by the film (2) forming hinges between the elements  of facets,  * the facet elements having joining edges (31A,  31B, ... 31F, 32F) in the form of a tab.  2 ") Faceted tubular packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom and / or the top of the tubular packaging are constituted by sectors ....... 33F) associated respectively with the facets and corresponding to a fraction of the bottom and / or top surface. 30) Faceted tubular packaging according to claim 2, characterized in that the edges of the sectors are formed of male / female assembly elements to assemble from one sector to another. 40) Faceted tubular packaging according to claim 3, characterized in that the edges of the sectors (133A, 133B, 233A, 233B) are split with a recessed portion (43A, 44A, 45A, 46A; 63A, 64A) and a projecting part (53B, 54B; 65A, 66A) to form rebate assemblies between the different sectors. 50) Faceted tubular packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the joining edges of the faceted elements (3A-3F) are provided with complementary connecting elements (projections / cavities). 60) Faceted tubular packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner surface (304, 404) of the faceted elements is adapted to the shape of the object to be received by the packaging. 70) Faceted tubular packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the exterior surface of the faceted elements is planar (305), curved (306, 406, 407, 506), irregular (606) 80) Tubular packaging with facets according to claim 1, characterized in that the facet elements (3A-3F) are produced in a mold, on the film (2) previously introduced into the mold, in an expanded plastic. 90) Faceted tubular packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the faceted elements (3A-3F) are produced in a mold and then the mold is opened, the film is placed on the faceted elements, the mold is closed for paste the film and then unmold the whole.  10) Faceted tubular packaging according to any one of claims 1, 8 and 9 characterized in that the film (2) is made of polystyrene and the faceted elements (3A3F) are made of expanded polystyrene.