FR2781455A1 - Method of packaging prepackaged articles uses blank for set of identical products for display - Google Patents

Abstract

The packaging set includes n products arranged so that the heads (4) are spaced. A U shaped bracket (5) having a top (6) and two sides (71,72) overlapping the heads of the products has hinged precuts (10) in its sides corresponding to a space (I) between the two heads. A thermo-retractable cover surrounding the products and the bracket has two passages (9) coinciding with the precuts.

Description

The invention relates to the technical field of product packaging

  various and it aims, more specifically, at the packaging of preconditioned products, so as to constitute unitary presentation lots

and / or marketing.

  The proposal to bring together identical or similar products in the form of a unit batch has been well known for some time. Its justification is based on two considerations. The first is to facilitate packaging on the production site and the second is to offer the recipient, especially the buyer, a set or unit that is more easily

grippable and transportable.

  To meet the demand that has gradually grown in this regard, the

  Prior art has known a number of proposals.

  Among those that can be cited, one of the first was to offer the packaging of identical preconditioned products, united by a kind of film, most generally made of a heat-shrinkable material, preferably but not

  necessarily fully or partially transparent.

  Such a proposal certainly leads to the obtaining of a unit batch having a suitable consistency over time to withstand the constraints that may be applied during the phases of over-conditioning, of unpacking,

  shelving, even transport.

  However, such a proposition may not be entirely satisfactory for

  reasons for mechanization and / or presentation.

  Another drawback to be taken into account for this technique lies in the fact that a unitary assembly thus produced may appear faulty in particular with respect to a gripping, porting or manual transport function in

  comfortable and acceptable conditions.

  Among the proposals of the prior art, it is also worth mentioning the caps made of cardboard, in particular compact, of small thickness, having cutouts admitting a deformability for styling the heads of products and being

  snapped or nested under edges or shoulders that these heads have.

  Such a technique has been successfully proposed for preconditioned products of low mass and low volume, such as dairy products of the yogurt type or the like. However, such a proposal has never seen any significant development for the packaging of preconditioned products of relatively high mass and of large volume. It would seem that the main reason is to take into account the difficulty of achieving a mechanically strong connection between the products, by bringing in such a cap which, moreover, turns out to be difficult to implement practically in a chain of

automatic packaging.

  There is therefore always a need to respond positively to the above-mentioned requirement by proposing a technique which is capable of giving satisfaction for the primary function of automatic over-conditioning on production site but also for that, second, of production of a unitary marketing unit having its own coherence and which is robust, light, while

  offering a comfortable grip, handling and transport.

  To achieve the above objectives, the invention provides a packaging process which is characterized in that it consists in: - organizing in at least one row the number of products which should constitute the batch, and so that the heads of these products are spaced, - place in relation to the heads of the products a precut blank defining at least three parallel strips, the middle one of which is intended to constitute a top and the other two lateral ones of which are intended to form wings, - fold the two strips lateral in the same direction by using means to make them occupy a stabilized orientation in which each of them represents a wing making an angle of at least 45 with the median strip to give the blank substantially the shape of a U fitting the heads, - surround the U-shaped blank and the products with a cover made of heat-shrinkable material, - arrange the cover so as to place it substantially in vis-à-vis two passages prepared in opposition which it comprises with precuts which the wings have in coincidence and between at least two heads, - and heat shrink the cover to exert a restraining action on the U-shaped blank and on the products and constitute a unitary set of

consistent conditioning.

  The invention also relates to a technical means capable of implementing the above process, such a technical means involving a blank of any suitable material, capable of allowing the constitution of a packaging unit for n products. identical or similar, such a blank being characterized in that: - it is constituted by a flat panel of generally rectangular shape, - it comprises two prepared folding zones delimiting a central strip and two lateral strips, said folding zones each include stabilization means capable of ensuring, after their formation, the maintenance of the corresponding folded lateral band in a stabilized orientation in which it forms a wing defining with the median band an angle of at least 45, - and articulated precuts are provided in the wings in

look at each other.

  A further object of the invention is, furthermore, the new product consisting of a packaging assembly for a batch of identical or similar products each having a bottom and a head, such an assembly being characterized in that it comprises: - n products arranged in such a way that the heads are spaced, - a U-shaped jumper having a top and two wings, overlapping the heads of the products and having in said wings two articulated precuts, located opposite each other to correspond to a space between two heads, - a cover of heat-shrunk material constraining surrounding the products and the rider and having two prepared passages,

  opposition, appreciably in coincidence with the precuts.

  Various other characteristics emerge from the description given below in

  reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of nonlimiting examples,

  embodiments of the subject of the invention.

  Fig. 1 is a perspective of a packaging assembly according to the invention. Fig. 2 and fig. 3 are cross sections taken, on different scales,

  respectively along lines II-II and III-III of FIG. 1.

  Fig. 4 is a partial perspective illustrating a constructive characteristic.

  Fig. 5 is a plan view of one of the means constituting the packaging assembly. Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective resulting from the formation of the means

according to fig. 5.

  Figs. 7 and 8 are partial perspectives showing, on a larger scale,

details of realization.

  Fig. 9 is a partial cross-section showing, on a larger scale,

  still a detail of realization taken according to plan IX-IX of FIG. 8.

  Figs. 10 to 12 are partial schematic plots illustrating different

variant embodiments.

  Fig. 13 is a cross section corresponding to FIG. 2 but showing

  an alternative embodiment of one of the constituent elements of the subject of the invention.

  Fig. 14 is a partial longitudinal section showing another

  particular embodiment of some of the means according to the invention.

  Figs. 15 and 16 are partial views illustrating variants of

  realization of the technical means according to fig. 14.

  Fig. 17 is a partial perspective of another variant of the element

technique according to fig. 14.

  Fig. 18 is a cross section corresponding to FIG. 17 and illustrating a

characteristic detail.

  The object of the invention is illustrated in an example of application shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 which represent a coherent unitary packaging assembly designated by the general reference 1. This assembly 1 corresponds to the packaging of a batch of identical or similar products such as 2 which here consist of two bottles or flasks. By batch, it is advisable to retain any number of identical or similar products organized or arranged relatively to be aligned, for example, in a general direction as shown diagrammatically by the axis x-x '. It should be understood that the products can be otherwise organized for example in the form of several rows, parallel or not, with alignment

  or staggered from one row to another.

  The products 2 each have a bottom 3 and a head 4 which can of course have different shapes in plan. The heads 4 can be formed directly by the packaging that the product contains or by a closure means

  removable and replaceable such as a stopper or a cover.

  Within the meaning of the invention, it is to be considered that the products 2 aligned form between their heads 4 an interval I whose function appears in the following. This interval can result from the volume form of the products 2 or from shims

  dividers precisely interposed for this purpose between the products.

  The packaging unit 1 is therefore composed of n products 2 then of a U-shaped jumper 5 having a top 6 and two lateral wings 71 and 72, preferably of the same height H. The jumper 5 is fitted on the heads 4 to overlap them and, for this reason, has dimensional characteristics which are determined, in width for the top 6, as a function of the cross section of the heads 4 and, in length, as a function of the size represented by the n

  products 2 arranged in alignment on the axis x-x ', in the example illustrated in FIG. 1.

  These dimensional characteristics come under the knowledge of a person skilled in the art who is able to apply them so that the rider 5 can overlap the heads 4 while presenting with respect to the latter the minimum transverse clearance and the longitudinal extent taken on the axis x- x 'corresponding to the size of the batch of

products 2.

  The packaging assembly 1 is also composed of a third element consisting of a cover 8 made of heat-shrinkable material, preferably but not exclusively, transparent. The cover 8 can be constituted by a segment of tubular strip, by a sleeve or by a film which is caused to surround the products 2 and the jumper 5 so that the bottoms 3 are wrapped in the same way as the top 6 and the wings 71 and 72. The cover 8 is heat-shrunk to exert a restraint constraint between the products 2 considered by themselves, and between the latter and the rider 5. In this way, the packaging assembly is in unitary form

  consistent facilitating possible over-conditioning or general handling.

  Within the meaning of the invention, provision is made to have the cover 8 and, more particularly in the parts of the latter covering the wings 7, and 72, and corresponding to the interval I, prepared passages 9, in the form oblong light, which can be formed by cutouts as shown in fig. 1, or also by perforation lines making it possible to obtain such cuts by

tear.

  The prepared passages 9 are arranged in opposition so as to be placed, after heat shrinking of the cover 8, substantially in coincidence with

  pre-cuts 10 which are made in the wings 7, and 72 to be located opposite

  screw each other, in the or part of the wings which corresponds to the interval I between two heads 4. Each pre-cut 10, which includes a fold line 11, can adopt a so-called open line as illustrated by the fig. 1 or a so-called closed path as illustrated in FIG. 4. In all cases, the fold line 11 is marked to be located parallel to the top 6 and in relative proximity of the latter relative to the

  extreme longitudinal edge of the corresponding wing.

  The above arrangement is advantageously chosen so as to offer a possibility of gripping, carrying and transporting the assembly 1. In fact, as is apparent from FIG. 3, an action carried from the outside in the direction of the arrow f, on the precuts 10 makes it possible to delimit in the wings 7, and 72 two flaps 12 which can be folded over the lines 11 in the direction of one of the other, so as to locally form with the top 6 and the corresponding parts of the wings 7, and 72 a kind of tubular beam 13 capable of giving the rider 5,

  mechanically constrained by the cover 8, a grip handle function.

  Thus, it becomes possible to manually engage the fingers of the hand through the prepared passages 9, so as to cause the folding of the flaps 12 and simultaneously constitute the grip handle which makes it possible to transport the assembly 1. Such a possibility offers a practical interest when the packaging unit 1 is composed of a batch of products 2 equal to or greater than two. According to the invention, it may be advantageous to give the precuts 10 a length such that each flap 12 can cooperate by its transverse edges with the walls of the products 2,

  so as to be maintained after folding substantially in the position according to FIG. 3.

  The folding of the flaps 12 makes it possible to constitute a beam only in the case

  particular alignment of the products 2 as illustrated by way of example in FIG. 1.

  In the case where the products are organized differently, the folding of the flaps 12 gives rise to the formation of two handles which can each be gripped manually to promote gripping. Whatever the application, it should be understood within the meaning of the invention that the flaps 12 can also be cut to allow a complete internal flap against the internal face of the corresponding wing 7 against which it can be held by a product. pre-applied adhesive. In that case

  the flap 12 also constitutes a local reinforcement element.

  To constitute a packaging unit 1, the invention proposes

  implement a blank 15, illustrated by FIG. 5 and intended to form the jumper 5.

  The blank 15 consists of a flat panel, cut and marked to be delivered flat and able to be shaped at the time of the constitution of the packaging assembly. The blank 15 can be made of any suitable material, such as double-sided corrugated cardboard with small grooves, compact cardboard, double-corrugated cardboard, plastic material, compact or not. The blank 15 has, on either side of a longitudinal median axis x-x ', two folding zones 161 and 162 which extend over the entire length of the panel and delimit in the latter a median strip 17 intended to form the top 6 and two side bands 181 and 182 intended to form the wings 7, and 72 of the jumper 5. Each folding zone is constituted by segments of fold line 19 and alternating cutouts 20 so that the segments 19 lead to the transverse extreme edges of the panel. According to the invention, each cutout 20 is partly offset or offset relative to the alignment of the segments 19 and has a continuous or discontinuous Greek form. In the preferred example illustrated in FIG. 5, each cut 20 is in the form of a Greek alternately offset on either side of the alignment of the corresponding segments 19, by a measurement e close to the thickness of the blank 15. Each cut 20 is executed to be composed of a series of alternations which result in defining a succession of tenons 21 and 22 which are alternately adjoining the middle band 17 and the side bands 18, and 182. Each cut could however be executed differently, like this

  appears in the following, insofar as at least one stud is formed.

  In the example illustrated, the cuts 20 are made symmetrically from one zone 16 to the other, with respect to the axis x-x 'and symmetrically with respect to an axis

  transverse median y-y 'for those belonging to the same area.

  The lateral bands 18, and 182. also each have a cut-out line 23, for example open, in the sense that it arises from the longitudinal edge of the corresponding band and ends in a fold line 24 marked parallel to the zone. corresponding folding 16. Each trace 23 thus defines an articulated flap 25 intended to constitute the flap 12 and forms for this purpose

a precut 10.

  The blank 15 specially produced as said above is implemented from the

  as follows to constitute a packaging unit 1.

  A product alignment 2 is established at a packaging station so as to allow the deposit of a blank 15 on the heads 4. A shaping operation of the blank 15 is then ensured by means of an appropriate shaper, for example able to immobilize the middle strip 17 on the heads 4 and cause folding in the same direction of the strips 18, and 182 so that the latter constitute

  the wings 71 and 72 of the jumper 5 described with reference to fig.l.

  The conformation involves a folding action around the zones 16, and 162 so that, after removal of the former, the lateral bands 18, and 182 are maintained relative to the median band 17 in a stabilized orientation in which they define with the latter. an angle which is greater than 45 ', as shown in fig. 6. This provision is considered within the meaning of the invention as an essential condition to allow the operation of implementation

  subsequent position of the cover 8 described with reference to FIG. 1.

  To carry out such an operation and meet the above requirement, the cutouts 20 constitute stabilized orientation means including the commissioning

spring from fig. 7 to 9.

  Fig. 7 shows a start of the folding phase of a lateral strip 18, relative to the central strip 17 in order to form the fold line segments

aligned 19.

  During this folding which takes place in the direction of the arrow f2, the pins 21 and 22 remain placed in the plane of the bands to which they belong, so that a deformation is imposed on them by the line of cut corresponding to them and situated, either in the band 18, or in the middle band 17, to pass from the situation of FIG. 7 to that of FIG. 9 as shown in fig. 6. Such a deformation must take into account the requirement of forced passage of the largest dimension of each tenon, which is in fact determined by the diagonal d taken in the thickness of the blank 15 as it appears in FIG. 9. When the forced and forced passage has taken place as illustrated in fig. 8, the side strip 18, is prevented from returning to its original position by reaction to the elastic deformation which has been imposed on it. Indeed, each tenon constitutes, as it appears well in FIG. 9, a stop bearing on the homologous part having

  gave birth, respectively to band 18, or to median band 17.

  Thus, by choosing a measurement e which is at least corresponding to the thickness of the blank 15, the forced folding of each lateral strip 18, and 182 leads to the formation of the wings 71 and 72 which are, by the non-return stops formed by the pins 21 and 22, prevented from reverse pivoting by elastic return and remain stabilized in an orientation which is that deemed favorable and illustrated in FIG. 6 in which each wing defines the angle ci with respect to the plane of the middle part 17 constituting the top 6. In this situation, it is understood that the lateral bands 181 and 182 are presented in an orientation favorable to the hooding operation by wrapping or threading of a sectioned tubular strip to measure the

blank length 15.

  The heat-shrinking operation of the cover 8 can then intervene suitably with the effect of an even more pronounced closure of the bands 18, and 182 which then form the wings 7, and 72 of the final unitary packaging assembly illustrated in FIG. 1. To achieve the above results, the cutouts 20, which constitute stabilized orientation means of the wings, can advantageously receive the conformation according to FIG. 5 or that according to FIG. 10 showing that the cutouts in Greek include, for each reversal of direction, a transverse slit 31 extending beyond the layout in order to provide greater locality

of local flexion.

  Fig. 11 shows another variant according to which each cutout 20 is composed of only one single plot in Greek of great length, while the example

  according to fig. 12, shows a short outline in Greek.

  In the implementation of the method according to the invention as it was mentioned above

  above, it is planned to deposit the blank 15 on the heads 4 of a batch of products 2 to be packaged. It should be remembered that a reverse situation can also occur when the assembly process involves first the blank 15 on which the heads 4 are relatively placed. Likewise, it must be considered that the conformation of the blank 15 to obtain the configuration according to FIG. 6 can intervene

  as a preparation prior to contact with the products 2.

  It is understood that this connection which can occur at a fixed station or on the fly, involves the commissioning of a conveyor or feed conveyor which can be the seat of functional vibrations. The implementation of the method must therefore take into account a risk of relative sliding of the blank 15 relative to

  at heads 4 before the hooding operation.

  To overcome this risk, the invention recommends implementing on the blank 15 relative immobilization means relative to the heads 4. An example of such means, generally designated by the reference 35, is illustrated in FIG. 13 showing that at the proper location of each head 4, the central strip 17 has openings 36 which are intended to allow the passage and partial engagement of the heads 4, more particularly when the latter are formed in the form of plugs comprising a support or stop collar 37 which

  may, in certain cases, also be the ring bead of the bottle 2.

  It is advantageous for the opening 36 to be formed by excess to allow, during installation, a simultaneous passage of all the heads 4 through all

  the openings 36 of the same blank 15.

  An alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 14 according to which the central strip 17 comprises cutouts 38 allowing the tabs 39 to be folded down

  constituting cooperation stops with heads 4.

  Fig. 15 shows an alternative embodiment according to which the means 35 consists of a flap 40 belonging to one of the bands 18, or 182 to which it is linked by a fold line 41 advantageously involving the presence of a tenon 42, of the type of those stated in relation to FIGS. 7 to 9, in order to ensure

the same function.

  Fig. 16 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the transverse end of the jumper can be closed by two flaps 40i and 402 capable of being held in the closed position, relatively to one another, by point of

  bonding, mutual nesting, even implementation of means 41 and 42.

  Fig. 17 shows another variant according to which each strip 18, or 182 comprises, in relation to the location of each head 4, a cutout 43 making it possible to fold inwards the jumper 5 formed or the blank 15 being formed, a tab 44 constituting the means 35. In such a case, the partially folded tab, as illustrated in FIG. 18, is intended to be supported under a

  shoulder 45 presented by the head 4.

  The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown since various modifications can be made thereto without departing from its scope. In particular, for the constitution of a set of a relatively large number of products 2, it can be envisaged to provide in each side strip 18 more than one precut, 23.

Claims (20)

  1. Method for packaging a batch of preconditioned products, characterized in that it consists in: - organizing in at least one row the number of products which should constitute the batch and so that the heads of these products are spaced, - placing in relation to the heads of the products, a precut blank defining at least three parallel strips, the middle one of which is intended to constitute a top and the other two lateral ones of which are provided to form wings, - fold the two lateral strips in the same direction by putting using means to make them occupy a stabilized orientation in which each represents a wing forming an angle of at least with the median strip to give the blank substantially the shape of a U fitting the heads, surrounding the U-shaped blank and the products with a cover in heat-shrinkable material, - arrange the cover so as to place substantially vis-à-vis two passages prepared in opp osition that it comprises with pre-cuts that have the wings in coincidence and between at least two heads, - and heat shrink the cover to exert a restraining action on the U-shaped blank and on the products and constitute a unitary assembly of consistent conditioning.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that conforms the U-shaped blank to ensure its maintenance longitudinally in relation to the head of the   products before fitting the cover.   3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that delimits the prepared passages of the cover then in that conforms pre-cuts articulated in the wings of the U-shaped blank, so as to constitute each time a reinforced area.   4. Packaging method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized   in that the blank is placed on the head of the products then in that the two lateral bands are folded down to form with the blank a jumper straddling the product heads.   5. Blank for constituting a set (1) for packaging n identical or similar products (2), in combination with a heat-shrinkable cover, characterized in that - it is constituted by a flat panel (15) of general shape rectangular, - it comprises two prepared folding zones (16, 162) delimiting a central strip (17) and two lateral bands (18,) and (182), - said folding zones each comprise means (21), (22 ) stabilization able to ensure after their formation, the maintenance of the corresponding folded lateral strip in a stabilized orientation in which it forms a wing (7,) or (72) defining with the median strip an angle of at least 45 ', - and articulated precuts (23) are provided in the wings in look at each other.   6. Blank according to claim 5, characterized in that the stabilization means consist of cutouts (20) in Greek which are alternated with aligned segments (19) of fold line and which are offset laterally by with respect to said aligned segments.   7. Blank according to claim 6, characterized in that the Greek cutouts (20) are offset laterally by a measurement (e), corresponding substantially to   the thickness of the blank, relative to the fold line segments (19).   8. Blank according to claim 7, characterized in that the Greek cutouts (20) are formed symmetrically from one folding zone to the other with respect to   to a longitudinal median axis from above (x-x ').   9. Blank according to claim 5, characterized in that the articulated pre-cuts (23) are provided to define flaps (25) foldable in the direction one of the other.   10. Blank according to claim 9, characterized in that the precuts (23) are defined by an open path and by a fold line (24) parallel to the zones corresponding folding.   11. Blank according to claim 9, characterized in that the precuts are defined by a closed path (10) and by a fold line (11) parallel to the zones   corresponding folding (161) and (162).   12. A blank according to claim 5, characterized in that the blank comprises   means (35) for immobilization relative to the heads of the products to be fitted.   13. Blank according to claim 12, characterized in that the immobilization means (35) consist of tabs (39) cut and foldable for   cooperate with the heads of the products.   14. A blank according to claim 12, characterized in that the means   immobilization (35) are constituted by foldable end flaps (40).   15. A blank according to claim 12, characterized in that the immobilization means (35) consist of openings (36) allowing passage   and at least partial engagement of product heads.   16. Package for packaging a batch of n identical or similar products (2) each having a bottom (3) and a head (4), characterized in that it comprises: - n products arranged so that the heads (4) are spaced, - a U-shaped jumper (5) having a top (6) and two wings (7, and 72), overlapping the heads of the products and having in said wings two articulated precuts (10), located in screws -to each other to correspond to a space (I) between two heads, - a cover of heat-shrunk material (8) constraining surrounding the products and the rider and having two prepared passages (9),   opposition, appreciably in coincidence with the precuts.   17. Packaging assembly according to claim 16, characterized in that the precuts (10) define flaps (12) which can be folded inwards for constitute a local reinforcement.   18. Packaging assembly according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the precuts (10) define flaps (12) which can be folded inwards   to form grips and carrying handles.   19. Packaging assembly according to claim 16, characterized in that the jumper (5) comprises immobilization means (35) relative to the heads of the products. 20. Packaging assembly according to claim 16, characterized in that each articulated flap (12) has an equivalent length in excess of   the interval (I) separating two heads (4).